Hippodrome - Charing Cross Road, London, UK - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

Regrettably, there is very little to be found about this statue atop the Hippodrome theatre in London. It appears to have been built as part of the initial build when the theatre was used for circuses. The statue seems to be made from the same material as the dome and that is iron (see below). From ground level it is hard to determine if that is, in fact, the case. The figure and horses appear to be about twice life-size. The statue shows a Roman figure in the two-wheeled chariot with a sword raised in his right hand. His left hand is holding the reigns. The chariot is being drawn by two horses both with front legs in the air.

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Originally built for Edward Moss as a Hippodrome for circuses, it had a vast tank for water spectacles. The sight lines were adjusted to suit both circus arena and proscenium action. The 1909 works enlarged the stage and advanced the proscenium to suit the theatre for variety rather than circus and, from 1912, revue. The Hippodrome occupies an island site with principal elevations to Charing Cross Road and Cranbourne Street, and contains, in addition to the theatre, ground floor shops on the main frontages, with Cranbourne Mansions in the upper storeys. Elevations in red sandstone, red brick and terracotta in a free classical style, the bays divided by giant Ionic pilasters supported on elongated brackets which occupy the full height of the first floor, the pilasters rising through the second and third floors to carry a weakly accented fourth floor attic storey and a crowning balustrade. There were formerly giant figures of Roman soldiers above. Most bays have canted windows rising from terms and linked by a balustrade at second floor level. The corner bay is framed by giant Ionic engaged columns carrying entablature blocks and an open pediment, above which rises a short but floridly detailed tower with a skeletal iron dome crowned by a lively sculptured group of a chariot with rearing horses.

Text source: (visit link)

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Hippodrome Figure Type: Combination of two figure types Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Unknown Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: c1900 Materials used: Cast iron Location: On top of the Hippodrome theatre

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Date Logged Log User Rating   06/08/2014 prussel visited it 04/26/2014 AngelPick visited it

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