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The Journal Tyne Theatre, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AG
Formerly The Tyne Theatre / Tyne Theatre and Opera House / Stoll Picture House

Newcastle Index

Above - The Tyne Theatre, Newcastle in 2002.

The Journal Tyne Theatre originally opened as the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in 1867. The Theatre was built by William B Parnell and although the Theatre has had many changes over the years, externally the frontage remains much in its original 1867 condition.

Structurally the auditorium is still in its original form too but it has had many decorative changes over the years, notably the gallery boxes being 'blocked in', box fronts being embellished with Corinthian columns, and the Dress and Circle fronts being embellished with cartouches in 1901. However the Theatres Trust says that the auditorium is 'undoubtedly one of the finest of its date in Britain.'

Right - The Tyne Theatre and Tilleys Pub in 2002 - Courtesy Gareth Price. Note the old Stoll Talkie advertisement on the side of theatre

The Proscenium has also been altered with the addition of a bust of Shakespeare. In 1919 a projection box was fitted in to the upper circle when the Theatre became a Cinema, known as the Stoll Picture House, but this has since been altered so as to house a modern control room.

There was a serious fire at the Theatre in 1985 which cause significant damage. The fire broke out on Christmas day and gutted the Fly Tower but the stage house was subsequently completely rebuilt to its original specifications and all of its remarkable Victorian stage machinery was restored to its original condition. The stage is 28' Wide by 40' Deep.

Left and Below - The Tyne Theatre after becoming the Stoll Picture House in 1919 - Courtesy Gareth Price.

The Tyne Theatre has been under threat many times over the years but its Grade I Listing has thankfully protected it from the property developers so far. In 2002 the Theatre was under threat again when English Heritage gave it an 'At Risk Status.' However the Theatre has again been saved, this time by SMG who have obtained a 15 year lease on the building and renamed it the Journal Tyne Theatre whose own website can be found here...

Arthur Lloyd is also known to have performed at The Tyne Theatre in Westgate Road, Newcastle (shown right ) in 1887.

Also see:

Newcastle Theatre - A personal reminiscence by Donald Auty.

Pantomimes in Newcastle 50 Years Ago by Donald Auty.

Moss Empires' Theatres in the Fifties by Donald Auty.