Jubilee Theatre

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Jubilee Theatre

The Jubilee Theatre, a grade II listed building^[1], opened in 1899 in St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne.

1 History
2 Current Usage
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The theatre is a 108 year old Victorian Theatre with its beautiful proscenium Royal Doulton tiles by W.J. Neatby, and was built for the use of staff and patients of the Hospital.

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. The orchestra pit is currently not in use, but could be if part of the front of the stage was removed, as the stage was recently extended covering the orchestra pit.

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 projectors. This is still there but is not in use, and is sealed off. Together with the projection room there was a cinema screen which would be flown in, in front of the proscenium arch.

There are two doors leading into the theatre from the main corridor next to one another, this was for during the times when male and female patients at the hospital were constantly separated, as the men would enter using the door on the left, and women using the door on the right. Men would have to stay 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 'Gentlemens Smoking Promenade' and is now used as a fire corridor. ^[2]

[edit] Current Usage

Currently the theatre is primarily used by two groups. Juniper Productions a drama group for sufferers of Mental Health Difficulties, and First Act Theatre, a local youth theatre company.

The theatre is also used by the hospital for meetings, and also is available for hire from the hospital.