For half a century the Royal Hippodrome was the most popular place of entertainment in Eastbourne, with shows twice-nightly, 52 weeks a year. Its management fought off predatory syndicates and steered independently through both World Wars, the rise of cinema, radio, talkies and, finally, the advent of television. The story of this remarkable theatre is set in the context of the growth of Eastbourne as a resort and the wider history of variety theatre in Britain. It contains contemporary reviews of such artists as Lottie Collins, Robb Wilton, P.T. Selbit, Hylda Baker, Max Bygraves and Harry Secombe.