Newcastle Civic Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newcastle Civic Theatre |
|
|---|---|
Newcastle Civic Theatre at Wheeler Place, in 2007.
|
|
| Alternative names | The Civic |
| General information | |
| Type | Cinema |
| Architectural style |
|
| Location | 373 Hunter Street, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 32°55′38″S 151°46′20″E / 32.9273°S 151.7721°E |
| Groundbreaking | 1927 |
| Opened | 1929 |
| Owner | City of Newcastle |
| Technical details | |
| Material | Steel, concrete, Sydney sandstone |
| Floor count | Two |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Henry Eli White |
| Developer | W Stronach |
| Official name: Civic Theatre | |
| Designated: | 27 September 2012 |
| Reference #: | 01883 |
The Newcastle Civic Theatre, also known as The Civic, is a special old building in Hunter Street, Newcastle, Australia. It opened in 1929 and has 1520 seats. Today, it hosts many different shows like musicals, plays, concerts, and dance events every year. It is the oldest theatre still standing in Newcastle.
The Civic Theatre and the Newcastle City Hall are both very important historical sites. They are listed together on the New South Wales State Heritage Register as the Newcastle City Hall and Civic Theatre Precinct. This means they are protected because of their history.
Contents
History of The Civic Theatre
The Council of the City of Newcastle helped build this theatre. It has become one of Newcastle's most popular places for events. The theatre was officially opened in 1929 by Thomas Bavin, who was the Premier of New South Wales at the time.
From Cinema to Live Shows
Even though it was built as a theatre, it was mostly used as a cinema for many years. The Civic Theatre and the Newcastle Town Hall were finished at the same time. They cost a total of £300,000 to build.
Architectural Style and Design
The famous theatre architect, Henry Eli White, designed the building. The outside of the theatre looks like the Georgian Revival style. The inside is decorated in the Spanish Baroque style. It has a beautiful marble staircase, a special terrazzo balcony, and fancy chandeliers. Before The Civic opened, the Victoria Theatre was the main entertainment spot. That older theatre is now empty.
What The Civic Theatre Looks Like
The Civic Theatre is a two-storey building made of brick with a smooth finish. Its outside design shows features of the Georgian Revival style. It also has parts of the Italian Renaissance style, especially with its elegant, round-topped windows. The shop front at No 14 Wheeler is the only part that is still original. The entrances have wooden frames with glass and special leadlight windows above. The awning outside is painted in old-fashioned colours with round patterns and a pressed metal ceiling underneath.
Inside the Theatre
The inside of the theatre is a detailed example of Henry Eli White's "Spanish Baroque" style. It has a traditional stage arch, decorated with a classical frieze. There is a large, fancy dome in the main ceiling. Smaller domes are above the back seats. Huge, curved arches are over the Royal boxes, which are on each side of the stage. Inside these arches are special parapets that look like the Alamo, holding statues. The domes have hidden lights, and a "blue sky" design surrounds the stage. The walls of the main seating area were made to look like stone castle walls. In the early 1970s, the stage and the area for the orchestra were made bigger.
The theatre was in good condition as of May 2013.
How The Civic Theatre is Used Today
The Civic Theatre was first designed for live shows. However, it was rented out as a cinema to companies like Greater Union (from 1929 to 1940) and then Hoyts (from 1941 to 1973). In 1974, the Newcastle City Council decided to focus more on live performances. They slowly stopped showing movies completely by 1976.
Renovations and Upgrades
Over the years, the building didn't get much care. So, The Civic Theatre was renovated between June 1992 and November 1993. This big project cost A$10.4 million.
Why The Civic Theatre is Important
The Civic Theatre is very important to the history of New South Wales for many reasons. It is considered one of the best theatre buildings in the state. It was designed by the famous theatre architect Henry Eli White, who also designed Sydney's State and Capitol Theatres. It is one of the few "atmospheric theatres" from the late 1920s that are still around in Australia.
Architectural and Cultural Significance
The building is a beautifully made example of the Georgian Revival style, used on a large scale. Along with the Newcastle Club and the BHP Administration Building, it shows how this style influenced the Hunter Region. The theatre's inside is mostly unchanged and is an amazing example of the Spanish/Moroccan style. The building is also an important part of the city's look. It is part of the civic cultural area, right next to the City Hall. This shows Newcastle's importance as the state's second capital when the theatre was built.
The theatre has been used almost constantly as an entertainment place since 1929. It continues to be a central spot for social and cultural activities. People in Newcastle value it highly for its amazing history, beauty, and social importance.
The Civic Theatre, along with the Newcastle City Hall, was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on September 27, 2012.
