Bamboro Electric Theatre

In the Byker district of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Bamboro Electric Theatre opened in July 1913, possibly the 16th. Situated at the junction of Union Road and Shields Road, Thornborough Street and Bamborough Street. For all its existence it was owned by the Renwick family and retained its original name. It was designed by Newcastle based architectural firm Newcombe & Newcombe and for most of its life it operated with no ceiling in the auditorium, just the supporting trusses of the roof showing. (A plain board ceiling was eventually added in 1950). The projection box was at the rear of the stall beneath the circle. Various sources quote wildly differing seating capacities at opening, ranging from 666 to 1,000. What is certain is that it was licensed for 750 (500 stalls, 250 circle) in 1930.

By 1919-20 there were two shows nightly, two changes a week, with a children’s matinee on Saturday. Major releases, however, such as “Tarzan of the Apes”, starring Elmo Lincoln, played a full week. The cinema’s orchestra was highly praised in the trade press.

Equipped with a Western Electric(WE) sound system on 20th January 1930, earlier than some city centre cinemas, with screenings of “Broadway Melody” starring Bessie Love. For “The Desert Song”, starring John Boles, shown from 10th March 1930 and which received an exclusive run, there was a special programme brochure, four performances daily, bookable seats and no half-price seats were available.

The Bamboro Electric Theatre closed on 11th April 1959 with “God’s Little Acre”, starring Robert Ryan. The building remained empty for some years, and was demolished after a fire in January 1965.

(Sources suggest that this cinema’s “correct” name was the Bamborough. However, ‘Bamboro’ was the name on the frontage).

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