Newcastle Civic Theatre

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The Newcastle Civic Theatre (also known as The Civic), located in Newcastle, Australia is one of Newcastle's most popular and prestigious venues. The 1520 seat Civic Auditorium hosts a wide range of musicals, plays, concerts and dance events each year and is the city's oldest surviving theatre.

The building opened in 1929 on Hunter Street, Newcastle as a picture theatre, decorated in lavish Art Deco style with a marble staircase, terrazzo balcony and chandeliers. Prior to the theatre's opening the Victoria Theatre on Perkins Street in the city's East End had been the premier venue for entertainment and also the city's largest and most opulent auditorium.

The theatre was designed by renowned architect Harry White and opened in 1929 by the Premier of New South Wales. White specialised in "picture palaces" and in all, designed some 183 theatres in Australia, New Zealand and North America. Sydney's State and Capitol Theatres are among their other designs from the same period.

Although designed as a live-theatre, the Civic was immediately leased as a cinema to Northern Amusements (in association with Newcastle Theatres Pty Ltd and Greater Union). In 1941 Hoyts gained control and the Civic continued under this management until 1973. Newcastle City Council then decided to move towards more live productions and phase out cinema operations completely. This adaption was undertaken over 1974-76.

With little maintenance having been done on the building over the years, the Civic was in much need of renovation. In June 1992, the Civic closed for a $10.4 million refurbishment which saw her reopen in November of 1993 as Australia's Premier Regional Theatre.

The Civic is now firmly ensconced on the Australian national touring circuit, and hosts most touring musicals, as well as concerts and a wide range of music, theatre and dance events.