Balmbra's Music Hall

Balmbra's Music Hall was an early Music Hall in the centre of Newcastle, England, in the middle of the 19th century.

advertisement for Balmbras music hall
An advertisement for Balmbras music hall in Newcastle from the Newcastle Courant November 27th 1840 when Balmbras was first opened

In about 1848 a first floor room of the Wheatsheaf Public House at 6 Cloth Market, Newcastle, was opened and in later advertisements was called "The Royal Music Saloon" (this name appears in advertisements dated 1859).

A token to gain entry to Balmbras music hall in Newcastle
A token to gain entry to Balmbras music hall in Newcastle

Around 1862 that room was rebuilt/converted, and the proprietor at this time was John Balmbra. It was here that the song "Blaydon Races" was first performed by George "Geordie" Ridley in 1862, The song referring to the Music Hall by name, as the starting point of the trip - "I took the bus from Balmbra’s and she was heavy-laden, Away we went along Collingwood Street, that’s on the road to Blaydon."[1]”

In 1864 Mr T Hanford became the new proprietor, and the Music Hall was re-named "The Wheatsheaf Music Hall" (shown in advertisements dated 1864). Another name change to the "Oxford Music Hall (late Balmbras)" appeared in adverts c1865, and new owner/managers in the form of Joshua L. Bagnall and Walter William Blakey. Adverts for the Music Hall appeared to cease c1879.[2]

Details published at the time showed that the stage was only in the region of 5 feet (1.5m) deep from front to back and the gallery was modified into a showroom c1883.[2]

Around 1891 reflected the end of the Music Hall heyday, the building becoming the "Oxford Restaurant and Public Hall". Unfortunately the building and its contents were completely destroyed by fire in 1899,[3] by which time it was being used as a billiard hall. A new building, also containing a billiards room, was erected and opened 1901 as the “Carlton Hotel”.

In about 1962 it became "Balmbra's Music Hall" complete with balcony at one end, but it was a poor imitation of the famous mid-Victorian Venue.

A plaque commemorating the music hall has been placed on the building by Newcastle City Council [4]

References

  1. ↑ Allan’s Illustrated Edition of Tyneside songs and readings with lives, portraits and autographs of the writers, and notes on the songs. Revised Edition. Thomas & Gorge Allan, 18 Blackett Street, and 34 Collingwood Street, (Newcastle upon Tyne) – Sold by W. Allan, 80 Grainqer Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, B. Allan, North Shields and Walter Scott. London. 1891.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Balmbra's - The Theatres Trust".
  3. ↑ "Balmbra's Music Hall, Newcastle".
  4. ↑ "Balmbra's Music Hall, Wheatsheaf Public House and music room, and John Balmbra black plaque in Newcastle upon Tyne".

External links

Coordinates: 54°58′15″N 1°36′42″W / 54.9707°N 1.6118°W