The oldest surviving heritage theatre in
New South Wales.
Reviving The Victoria Theatre
The Victoria Theatre, built in 1881 on Perkins Street in Newcastle, is the oldest heritage theatre in New South Wales and fifth oldest in Australia.
In 2015, Century took a leap of faith and committed to buying the Victoria Theatre in Newcastle. The Century Management team knew that if they didn’t act quickly, another Australian theatre could be lost forever. Century acquired the ‘Mighty Vic’, settling in February 2016.
Since then, Century Group has invested over $800,000 to clear the theatre, make the building safe and compliant, produce a design by Scott Carver Architects and submitted a first-class development application to the City of Newcastle which has been approved.
After almost 10 years of careful planning, consultation, and developing our experienced project team, 2025 is set to be a big year for the revival project and we anticipate visible progress soon as we move forward with works on-site.
About The Victoria Theatre
The Victoria Theatre is a significant state heritage site located in the heart of Newcastle, NSW. Opened in 1891 and refurbished in 1921, it uniquely represents an era of silent pictures, vaudeville, and early legitimate theatre. Despite some alterations, its 1891 façade and dual-era auditorium remain largely intact.
This theatre, one of the largest and most popular in NSW, hosted plays, concerts, and operas until the 1950s. It is associated with notable Australian theatre companies and actors, reflecting the civic development of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Victorian Free Classical style façade contributes to the Perkins Street streetscape and holds aesthetic and representative significance.
Locally, the Victoria Theatre is linked to architect James Henderson and the firm Robertson and Marks. Though its cultural role diminished after the 1960s, the theatre’s potential renewal has sparked community interest, reaffirming its status as an important local landmark.
Latest News
An unexpected opportunity emerged in September 2024 when the building next to the Victoria Theatre at 4-6 Perkins St came on the market for sale. The Century group has made a further major investment in the Victoria Theatre’s revival with the purchase of this property.