Journal Tyne Theatre

This outstanding building (Grade I Listed) opened in 1867 and was designed by William B. Parnell. It remains, substantially, today much as it was when it first opened.

The theatre was taken over by Oswald Stoll’s chain Stoll Circuit, and became the Stoll Picture Theatre in 1919 (window in stained glass bearing new name still intact) and showed films exclusively from a projection box constructed in the 2nd (of 3) balconies until closure in 1974.

When the screen was removed it was discovered that the final theatre set was still largely in place!

It was restored as a live theatre but suffered a disasterous fire in 1985 when the stage was burned out (auditorium largely undamaged).

The early Victorian stage machinery was painstakingly reconstructed and the theatre reopened.

One of the most beautiful auditoriums in the country, the Opera House is well worth a visit if you are in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Recent comments (view all 11 comments)

lostmemory on April 21, 2007 at 7:26 pm

Here are some photos and history.

lostmemory on March 1, 2008 at 1:26 pm

Here is a new link for the Journal Tyne Theater website.

lostmemory on January 6, 2009 at 9:32 pm

Another photo of the Journal Tyne Theater can be seen here.

PETERMILLI on May 22, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust
www.briandebnam.co.uk/Tyne_Theatre_Preservation_Trust_000.html

lostmemory on June 25, 2009 at 5:50 pm

This is a 2009 photo.

Ian on July 7, 2009 at 6:08 am

Some photos of the auditorium taken in June 2009 here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3697436240/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3697435990/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3696627349/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3697435566/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3697435354/

keiths on December 7, 2009 at 12:00 pm

Not difficult to see why it’s grade 1 listed, is it?

JohnGn on February 20, 2013 at 5:08 am

When I knew it in the sixties, it showed all sorts of X-rated product. Although the quality of films shown declined sharply after the Tyneside Film Theatre opened in 1968, before that, it showed a much wider range of product and was the place to go for films from directors such as Ingmar Bergman. It was here that I first saw the classic sci-fi film “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers”. I also saw the spoof horror film, “What a Carve Up” and also two classic westerns, “High Noon” and “Fort Apache”. It was a fascinating place to go to when it was a cinema, and I would sometimes go there simply for the pleasure of visiting the place.