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Victoria Theatre (Newcastle)
Encyclopedia
The Victoria Theatre in Newcastle, New South Wales
, opened 1876 and rebuilt during 1890-91 is the oldest theatre still standing in New South Wales.
The Victoria is only one of several large stage and screen theatres built across the city from the 1870s up until the early twentieth-century that have since been closed down. Others of importance were the Central Mission Theatre on King Street, the Theatre Royal on Hunter Street West, as well as the Strand (demolished) and Lyric cinemas.
The architect in charge of the 1890 rebuilding was Mr. James Henderson, who elaborately furnished the three level auditorium in neo-Grecian theme. A large stage house and a small first class hotel were also incorporated in the second theatre, the latter closed during 1921 during extensive renovations to convert the theatre into dual stage and screen use.
By early 1922, the Victoria was taken over by Sir Benjamin
and John Fuller of Melbourne's Princess Theatre fame and they built the large St. James Theatre (now demolished) in Sydney, and added Newcastle's Victoria to their national live theatre chain.
In 1942 Hoyts
took control of the theatre. CinemaScope was installed around 1955, with no widening of the decorated proscenium. Despite its use as a picture theatre, live theatre continued at the Victoria up until the 1960s, when the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
was still performing concerts there.
The interior dress circle, circle foyer, proscenium, stage, fly tower, dressing rooms, ceilings and walls of the Victoria are all intact. Only the vestibule (lower foyer)and back stall area had been subject to alteration for retail purposes. The exterior above the awning is also intact, as it was after the 1921 alterations (with the former hotel windows 'blinded' when the auditorium was extended.
, and over the course of its history had attracted performers such as Gladys Moncrieff
, Lily Langtry, Richard Tauber
, Joan Hammond
and June Bronhill
. Touring companies also performed at the Victoria, notably London's D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
, as well as ballet troupes. Australian actor Jim Gerald
performed at the Victoria Theatre on 4 September 1915 as apart of his country-wide tour. It was the actor's second last performance before joining the Australian Imperial Forces during the First World War.
The dual career of the nation's oldest theatre ended quietly during 1966 with the screening of a Bette Davis
'B' film Who's Buried in my Grave. After 90 years of uninterrupted service, the interior of the Victoria has been left practically untouched by owners to ensure that it maintains the potential to be reopened in the future.
The New South Wales
Heritage Office has now Listed the building, declaring the Victoria the oldest theatre building in New South Wales, and as having historical importance on the grounds that it represents and incorporates an age of vaudeville, legitimate theatre, with silent and modern film cinema that no other building in the State can offer - being over 100 years old.
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, opened 1876 and rebuilt during 1890-91 is the oldest theatre still standing in New South Wales.
The Victoria is only one of several large stage and screen theatres built across the city from the 1870s up until the early twentieth-century that have since been closed down. Others of importance were the Central Mission Theatre on King Street, the Theatre Royal on Hunter Street West, as well as the Strand (demolished) and Lyric cinemas.
Building history
The first Victoria Theatre was built on the site in 1876. This was altered in 1885 and razed in 1890. The second theatre was built in 1890/1 and closed in 1966.The architect in charge of the 1890 rebuilding was Mr. James Henderson, who elaborately furnished the three level auditorium in neo-Grecian theme. A large stage house and a small first class hotel were also incorporated in the second theatre, the latter closed during 1921 during extensive renovations to convert the theatre into dual stage and screen use.
By early 1922, the Victoria was taken over by Sir Benjamin
Ben Fuller (producer)
Sir Benjamin John "Ben" Fuller was an English-born Australian theatrical entrepreneur.Fuller was born in London to compositor John Fuller and Harriett, née Jones...
and John Fuller of Melbourne's Princess Theatre fame and they built the large St. James Theatre (now demolished) in Sydney, and added Newcastle's Victoria to their national live theatre chain.
In 1942 Hoyts
Hoyts
The Hoyts Group is an Australian company consisting of Hoyts Exhibition, Hoyts Distribution and Val Morgan.Hoyts Exhibition manages 450 screens across 40 Australian and 10 New Zealand cinema complexes; making it Australia's second largest cinema chain. Val Morgan, the cinema advertising arm of the...
took control of the theatre. CinemaScope was installed around 1955, with no widening of the decorated proscenium. Despite its use as a picture theatre, live theatre continued at the Victoria up until the 1960s, when the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra , commonly known as the Sydney Symphony, is an Australian symphony orchestra based in Sydney...
was still performing concerts there.
The interior dress circle, circle foyer, proscenium, stage, fly tower, dressing rooms, ceilings and walls of the Victoria are all intact. Only the vestibule (lower foyer)and back stall area had been subject to alteration for retail purposes. The exterior above the awning is also intact, as it was after the 1921 alterations (with the former hotel windows 'blinded' when the auditorium was extended.
Performances
When in operation, the Victoria was the principal theatre in NewcastleNewcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, and over the course of its history had attracted performers such as Gladys Moncrieff
Gladys Moncrieff
Gladys Moncrieff OBE was an Australian singer who was so successful in musical theatre and recordings that she became known as 'Australia's Queen of Song' and 'Our Glad'.-Early years:...
, Lily Langtry, Richard Tauber
Richard Tauber
Richard Tauber was an Austrian tenor acclaimed as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. Some critics commented that "his heart felt every word he sang".-Early life:...
, Joan Hammond
Joan Hammond
Dame Joan Hilda Hood Hammond, DBE, CMG was an Australian operatic soprano, singing coach and champion golfer.- Early life :...
and June Bronhill
June Bronhill
June Bronhill OBE was an internationally acclaimed Australian soprano opera singer.-Biography:She was born June Mary Gough in the inland Australian city of Broken Hill, New South Wales...
. Touring companies also performed at the Victoria, notably London's D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company was a professional light opera company that staged Gilbert and Sullivan's Savoy operas. The company performed nearly year-round in the UK and sometimes toured in Europe, North America and elsewhere, from the 1870s until it closed in 1982. It was revived in 1988 and...
, as well as ballet troupes. Australian actor Jim Gerald
Jim Gerald
James Gerald was an Australian comedian, was born on 2 January 1891 at Darlington, Sydney, seventh son of Stephen Australia Fitzgerald, a cutter who became an actor, and his wife Mary Ann, née Ingram. A nephew of J. D...
performed at the Victoria Theatre on 4 September 1915 as apart of his country-wide tour. It was the actor's second last performance before joining the Australian Imperial Forces during the First World War.
The dual career of the nation's oldest theatre ended quietly during 1966 with the screening of a Bette Davis
Bette Davis
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres, from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional...
'B' film Who's Buried in my Grave. After 90 years of uninterrupted service, the interior of the Victoria has been left practically untouched by owners to ensure that it maintains the potential to be reopened in the future.
Heritage listing
The former Australian Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Robert Hill, spoke of the theatre in 1999 saying "Melbourne's Progress Cinema and former Lyric Theatre, and Newcastle's former Victoria Theatre are part of a vanishing aspect of Australia's heritage".The New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Heritage Office has now Listed the building, declaring the Victoria the oldest theatre building in New South Wales, and as having historical importance on the grounds that it represents and incorporates an age of vaudeville, legitimate theatre, with silent and modern film cinema that no other building in the State can offer - being over 100 years old.
External links
- Heritage Register (see page 29):
- Notes on performer
- Notes on someone who once worked at the theatre