The Victoria Theatre is a national treasure that has taken on many roles over the years.
2020: Ten visionary Founding Ambassadors pledge their support to enable the advocacy campaign that will secure the funding model that will ultimately reopen the extraordinary heritage Victoria Theatre
October 2019: Victoria Theatre Development Application submitted to Newcastle City Council
13 November 2018: The Victoria Theatre opened its doors for a one off launch of the University of Newcastle’s trailblazing Virtual Reality project. Invited attendees experienced the Victoria Theatre via VR in all its opulent 19th Century glory.
2016-18: Over $800,000 has been spent on the Victoria by Century on work which incudes: clearing of over 150 tons of debris, dismantling of the two iterations of retail overlay, installation of basic fire and safety prevention and importantly the formulation of a first-class development application
2015: Century purchased the Victoria Theatre with the intention to restore it as a live working heritage theatre
2015: The Victoria Theatre owned by Laundy Hotel Group is put up for auction; a local community group 'Revive the Vic' was founded and attracted 1000+ members all committed to preserving the Victoria Theatre
1998: Another clothing company used the building and created an internal shell that has unintentionally served to protect some of the original features
1967: Opens as Eastham's Theatre Store - a retail fashion house
1966: Closes as a movie theatre and place of entertainment
1954-44: Cinemascope installed
1951: Facade equipped with large vertical neon sign
1942: Hoyts takes control of the Victoria Theatre
1936: General Theatres dissolved, Victoria Theatre now part of Snider and Dean then Northern Amusements Corporation (Hoyts, Greater Union)
1933: Fuller's merge into General Theatres and include Hoyts and Union Theatres
1930-60: Film dominates program although there were significant live performances throughout this period
1922: Sir Benjamin and John Fuller of Fuller's Theatres Pty Ltd (St James Sydney, Princess Theatre Melbourne) buy the Victoria Theatre
1921: Victoria Theatre reopens to accommodate cinema after remodelling for this purpose, designed by architect Mr A.E. Scot1929: Advent of talkies, Victoria Theatre fitted with 'talking equipment' and becomes 'Victoria Talkies't. Under the management of Dix and Baker, Haymarket Theatres Ltd.
1906: Victoria Theatre reopens again after remodelling. Stage widened, proscenium walls raised, existing under stage dressing rooms removed, new and additional dressing rooms built into separate building, numerous fireproofing measures undertaken; 300 seats added
1891: Victoria Theatre reopens after complete rebuild
1890: 2 new buildings commenced and built 'over' existing building and then the existing building was razed. 'First class' hotel on Perkins Street frontage with theatre auditorium in rear. Designed by architect James Henderson with a four storey brick and iron building with fly tower. Corinthian style facade; seats 2000
1886: First meeting of prominent locals to form a syndicate that becomes the Victoria Theatre Company
1885: Victoria Theatre altered
1878: Messrs J. Wallace and John Creer buy the Victoria Theatre from John Bennett and sublet to Sam Howard
1876: The new Victoria Theatre owned by Mr John Bennett of Sydney opens on 8-10 Perkins Street and was Newcastle’s first purpose built theatre. It was built in 9 weeks with a timber structure and seated up to 1200 people.
1861: The Courthouse, which stood on the site of the Post Office was used for theatrical performances
1859: Croft's Victoria Theatre was destroyed by fire
c. 1857: First Victoria Theatre with basic timber and iron construction was built on Watt Street behind the Commercial Hotel by Mr J. Croft (Mayor of Newcastle and licensee of the Commercial Hotel)
1854: First Newcastle performance