The Hippodrome
Gay Mondays, and a magician who came back
The Hippodrome opened in 1900, designed by the great theatre architect Frank Matcham. In 1983 it became one of London’s most spectacular nightclubs, keeping the theatrical architecture – vast stage, tiered galleries, glass-domed ceiling – and its Monday nights in the early 1990s became well-known gay nights.
Here, in 1983, a magician called Fay Presto – formerly Letitia Winter, before her transition – launched her professional career. Presto became one of Britain’s most celebrated close-up magicians. In 1991 the Inner Magic Circle admitted women for the first time; Fay Presto, who had been asked to leave when she transitioned, rejoined and became the first female member to reach Gold Star status. A hundred years of entertainment have passed through this building – circus horses, music hall, gay Mondays, and a magician who came back as the best in her field. It is now a casino.