Jubilee Theatre

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

Jubilee Theatre
AddressSt Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
UK
Coordinates55.006°N 1.634°W / 55.006; -1.634
Current useTheatre and meetings
Opened30 May 1900
Website
www.juniperproductions.org.uk

History

The Victorian theatre was opened on 30 May 1900. 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.[2]

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.[3]

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.[3]

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.[4]

Current usage

Currently the theatre is primarily used by three groups: Juniper Productions a drama group for sufferers of mental health difficulties, which was founded in 1998[5] First Act Theatre, a youth theatre company who have operated from the theatre since 1991 And Stepping Out A drama group [6]

Notable actors

The Jubilee Theatre has been a stage to a number of actors during their early career, including:[7]

References
  1. "First Act Theatre". F.A.T. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  2. "Jubilee Theatre". Theatre Trust. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  3. Chronicle, Evening (December 13, 2006). "Stage with a famous past". ChronicleLive.
  4. "Juniper Productions Theatre Information". Juniper Productions. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2006-12-31.
  5. Chronicle, Evening (December 13, 2006). "Panto fun proves a source of strength for patients". ChronicleLive.
  6. Whetstone, David (September 5, 2016). "Its anniversary time as Second Act Theatre presents Rent at the Jubilee Theatre". ChronicleLive.
  7. "History". First Act Theatre. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2008-11-27.
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