AusLeisure

Cinema is set to return to the Newcastle CBD with the Civic Theatre installing a 7.5-metre-wide movie screen in its main auditorium and showing recent releases for the enjoyment of the community.

Under two years since the closure of the Tower Cinemas on King Street, the return of films will re-activate the CBD, which has experienced major disruption due to COVID-19.

The new 7.5 metre x 4.4 metre screen combined with the Civic Theatre’s state of the art sound system and individually air-conditioned seats, will provide a popular cinematic experience.

The Civic Cinema initiative is part of the Civic’s Beyond the Stage program of cultural offerings outside of the traditional uses of the Civic Theatre and City Hall. So far, this has included the Civic Bar Beats – Friday evenings of live local music in our Theatre Bar, and lunchtime concerts at City Hall.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said cinema and theatre have a long history in Newcastle’s CBD and City of Newcastle is pleased to offer both live performance and recent release cinema for the enjoyment of the community.

Lord Mayor Nelmes advised “after a period where COVID-19 has had such a devastating impact, it’s wonderful that through adding regular film screenings to our Civic Theatre program, we can take this positive step in our city’s journey towards recovery, and provide a boost to surrounding local businesses by attracting more people into the Civic precinct.”

The Civic Theatre opened in 1929, and although designed as a live theatre, it was leased as a cinema for the next 45 years.

Civic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said locals are thrilled to experience something contemporary but screened in a venue with such historical links adding “we trialled bringing film back to the Civic Theatre in January with a season screening of a selection of the most acclaimed productions from London's National Theatre at the Civic Playhouse. It was so popular that film screenings in the Civic Theatre was the next obvious step.

“Our new program features a variety of films that appeal to people of all ages and tastes, such as recent release features, documentaries, theatre productions and children’s films during the school holidays.

“We’re also working on securing shows to return to the Civic Theatre stage with the venue’s audience capacity lifted to 500 people from next month, the maximum number allowed under the current Public Health Order.

“We have made changes to how the Civic Theatre operates to enable people to experience cinema and live performance safely with physical distancing requirements and hygiene measures met under our COVID Safe plan.”

Related Articles

10th September 2020 - Newcastle reveals details of inaugural arts festival

19th July 2020 - Victor Harbor Council purchases Victa Cinema to reactivate town as arts destination

2nd July 2020 - HOYTS reopens cinemas in Australia with staged approach

22nd June 2020 - Bathurst’s Winter Festival 2020 to include Drive in Cinema

20th March 2020 - Palace Cinemas respond to COVID-19

25th May 2020 - Newcastle’s No.1 Sportsground to receive major redevelopment

27th March 2020 - Challenging times for cinemas with all of Australia’s screens closed

23rd February 2020 - Newcastle celebrates 90th anniversary of its Civic Theatre

31st January 2020 - Mt Smart Stadium set to become New Zealand’s biggest drive-in cinema

23rd January 2020 - Newcastle’s Civic Playhouse offers trial season of cinema and theatre

6th November 2019 - City of Newcastle proposes private development of ocean baths pavilions

16th October 2019 - Event Cinemas launch new immersive experience for children

8th October 2019 - ASM Global appoints new General Manager at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre

1st August 2019 - Immersive Experiences now available at Hoyts cinemas

12th June 2019 - Chinese cinema attendances to overtake USA as of 2020

30th April 2019 - Start-ups help transform Newcastle into a Smart City

29th April 2019 - City of Newcastle opens $2 million playground and skate park

20th April 2019 - D-BOX enters Australian cinema market with Hoyts seat deal

4th February 2019 - NSW Politicians make election pledges to parks and the Newcastle Art Gallery

31st July 2018 - Cinema audiences struggles as moviegoers turn to online content

13th June 2018 - Hoyts opens new generation cinema experience in Hunter Valley

8th April 2018 - Director role restored at Newcastle Art Gallery

14th March 2018 - Hoyts to introduce virtual reality experiences into cinema

11th July 2017 - NSW Government reveals plans to revitalise Newcastle sport and entertainment precinct

24th November 2016 - Village Roadshow introduce Australia’s first childrens’ cinema concept

2nd October 2014 - Newcastle gets global recognition as leading festival and event city

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.