The Jubilee Theatre, is a grade II listed building[1] theatre. It opened in 1899 in St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, England.
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| Address | St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth Newcastle upon Tyne UK |
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| Coordinates | 55°00′22″N 1°38′02″W / 55.006°N 1.634°W |
| Current use | Theatre and meetings |
| Opened | 30 May 1900 |
| Website | |
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History
editThe Victorian theatre was opened on 30 May 1900 and features a plaque at the main entrance to mark the event.[2] It features a proscenium arch of Doulton tiles by W.J. Neatby, depicting two pre-Raphaelite figures which face east and west, as the theatre faces true north and south.[3]
Originally, the theatre had a sprung dance floor made from maple and a full sized orchestra pit, and was used for both shows and dances.[4]
So that films could be shown in the theatre a projection room was added to the back of the building in 1920 housing at least two movie projectors.[4]
Two doors lead into the theatre from the main corridor. The male and female patients at the hospital were constantly separated; men would enter using the door on the left, and women the right door. Rules dictated that men stayed on the left of the auditorium and women on the right, and were only allowed together for dancing. On the men's side there is a door out to a corridor which was previously used as the 'Gentlemen's Smoking Promenade' and is now used as a fire corridor.[5]
Current usage
editCurrently the theatre is primarily used by four groups: Juniper Productions a drama group for sufferers of mental health difficulties, which was founded in 1998;[6] First Act Theatre, a youth theatre company, who have operated from the theatre since 1991; Stepping Out A drama group [7] and Newcastle University Medical School's Musical Medics Society who perform a yearly charity show.[8]
Notable actors
editThe Jubilee Theatre has been a stage to a number of actors during their early career, including:[9]
References
edit- ^ "First Act Theatre". F.A.T. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
- ^ "St. Nicholas Hospital Consevation Area Character Statement" (PDF). Newcastle City Council. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
- ^ "Jubilee Theatre". Theatre Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
- ^ a b Chronicle, Evening (December 13, 2006). "Stage with a famous past". ChronicleLive.
- ^ "Juniper Productions Theatre Information". Juniper Productions. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
- ^ Chronicle, Evening (December 13, 2006). "Panto fun proves a source of strength for patients". ChronicleLive.
- ^ Whetstone, David (September 5, 2016). "Its anniversary time as Second Act Theatre presents Rent at the Jubilee Theatre". ChronicleLive.
- ^ "Musical Medic's Facebook". www.facebook.com. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-05-07.
- ^ "History". First Act Theatre. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2008-11-27.