Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There is little evidence of theatrical activity in this area much before the late 17th century, when actors are known to have played in rooms near the Quayside in the then centre of the town. They were compelled to act secretly, however, on account of the hostility of the Puritan element among the citizens. The first permanent theatre was built in Mosely Street in 1788, and having a royal patent was known immediately as the Theatre Royal. It was demolished in the 1830s to make way for Grey Street, in which a new Theatre Royal was built and still stands. It opened in 1837 with The Merchant of Venice. Reconstructed and enlarged in 1895, it was extensively damaged by fire in 1899. Rebuilt and enlarged by the addition of properties from the adjoining Shakespeare Street, the theatre reopened yet again in 1901. It housed touring companies until 1973, when it was bought by the Newcastle City Council. It is now managed by a Trust, and continues to be one of the country's major touring centres. Seating 1,400, it has since 1977 provided a regional base for the RSC, which presents seasons there every year. The theatre underwent major refurbishment in 1987.

Other theatres include the Newcastle Playhouse and the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, seating 1,200, built in 1867. A cinema from 1916 to 1974, it was renovated, and finally bought, by local amateurs. It reopened in 1986 as a home for amateur productions and those of the Tyne Theatre Company which moved there from the Playhouse in 1987, opening with Ayckbourn's Woman in Mind. The arrangement, however, was not a success, and the company was forced to leave in 1989. It changed its name to the Northern Stage Company and has no resident performing venue. The Tyne Theatre is now mostly used by touring companies, though it continues to stage the productions of its own amateur company.