Roman Soldier - Cranbourn Street, London, UK
N 51° 30.680 W 000° 07.712
30U E 699248 N 5710599
This statue stands high above street level on what was once the Hippodrome theatre but is now the Hippodrome Casino that recently opened in July 2012.
Waymark Code: WMEXPD
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 07/19/2012
Views: 5
This terracotta figure stands defiantly atop the Hippodrome
Casino close to London's Leicester Square. He is staring to the south and is
garbed in the traditional clothing of a Roman centurion. In his right hand he
holds a shield against his right hip. His left arm, raised the head level, holds
the shaft of a spear.
The Hippodrome is a Grade II listed building and the entry
at the English Heritage website (visit link) tells us:
"Theatre block including shops,
chambers and the Crown P.H. at No. 43. 1895 to 1900 by Frank Matcham. Red
sandstone, leaded and slated roofs. Ornate, freely handled French Renaissance
with theatrically Baroque skyline. Island block of 5 storeys. 5 bays wide to
Charing Cross Road, canted corner and 8-bay return to Cranbourn Street. Pub
front and shops and canopied corner entrance to theatre on ground floor.
Balustraded 1st floor with windows flanked by volute-like caryatids. Shallow
canted bay windows through 2 floors above. Sill, string courses and cornices
with balustraded parapet broken by 2 shaped pediments, that to Cranbourn Street
central but off centre to Charing Cross Road where the small end pavilion
retains its cupola. The canted corner, its upper floor windows obscured by large
hoarding, is finished off by an openwork metal cupola appropriately, given the
theatre's name, supporting a quadriga . The parapets were also originally
crowned with gladiatorial statues. The interior with arena form auditorium much
altered."