Julian Ovenden, Janie Dee and Tony Christie performing Live at the new London Hippodrome

The Matcham Room at the new Hippodrome Casino in London's Leicester Square has just announced the first season of performances with booking opening today.

The Hippodrome Casino was previously home to Talk of the Town and The Matcham Room is named after the theatre’s original architect Frank Matcham and will serve food and drink at booths, tables and balcony seats within the performance space. The menu is designed and served by the neighbouring Heliot Restaurant, Bar and Lounge.

From Monday 2nd July 2012, Live at the Hippodrome will host week-long residencies, one-off events and late night slots with performers from the West End and Broadway, cabaret, jazz, burlesque, variety and the music industry. The first performances will include Janie Dee, Jane Monheit, Tony Christie, Kate Dimbleby, Julian Ovenden and Miss Polly Rae.

Future dates in 2012 will be available for booking soon and will include evenings with Maria Friedman, Adam Guettel (with Jonathan Ansell), Ruthie Henshall, Barb Jungr, David McAlmont, Gwyneth Herbert, Kerry Ellis, Judy Kuhn, Stefanie Powers, Suzi Quatro, Hot Club of Cowtown, Lea DeLaria and Cerys Matthews.

In 2013 Live at the Hippodrome will welcome Alexander Armstrong, David Arnold, Jason Robert Brown, composers Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, Maureen Lipman, Robert Lindsay, John Partridge and Tyne Daly.