tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post5944577332456145336..comments2024-02-17T19:03:04.824+11:00Comments on New England, Australia: Wednesday Forum: preserving New England's heritageJim Belshawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-36779984531468038372011-08-06T15:28:33.812+10:002011-08-06T15:28:33.812+10:00Thsnk you for this, Greg. I will bring the comment...Thsnk you for this, Greg. I will bring the comment up into the main post.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-44237691022175894142011-08-06T10:44:59.250+10:002011-08-06T10:44:59.250+10:00Greg, that's an interesting comment. I would l...Greg, that's an interesting comment. I would love to see the Civic. <br /><br />Do you know if anyone has written a history of theatre in Newcastle? I di some very skimpy posts earlier on, but is sure is worth a fuller story.Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-4853527333456779052011-08-05T22:44:50.977+10:002011-08-05T22:44:50.977+10:00As an aside - the Victoria is one of a number of o...As an aside - the Victoria is one of a number of old theatres that have been lost to the city in recent decades. The theatre Royal, the Kensington and the Lyric in the CBD are no longer theatres. The Regent in Islington is now a rennovators warehouse and the Strand (CBD) and Century (Broadmeadow) were both demolished after the earthquake.<br /><br />Newcastle had an extensive and extraordinarily rich theatre heritage, most of which is now gone. It was one of the oldest and most extensive theatre districts in Australia.<br /><br />The Civic Theatre is now the oldest surviving theatre in Newcastle. If you have never been there, I would thoroughly recommend it. It is an art deco style and the interior is lavishly decorated. It remains as one of Australia's best historic theatres.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-47272809399327324152011-08-05T22:08:14.578+10:002011-08-05T22:08:14.578+10:00The Victoria Theatre is a wonderful building. Unfo...The Victoria Theatre is a wonderful building. Unfortunately the image of a decaying old theatre doesn't do it justice. I don't remember it operating as a theatre. I think that it closed when I was still quite young. But it used to house Easthams clothing company and I used to love going there to marvel at the 19th C interior of the building which was still largely in tact as a theatre.<br /><br />I think that the building has been closed up now for a decade or more.<br /><br />It would be a tragedy if the Victoria eventually either burnt down or just decayed beyond repair. It is an irreplaceable part of our heritage and would be a great loss.<br /><br />I have often thought that, if rennovated and restored as a theatre, it would be a wonderful venue for live music. The Kings at Lambton has undergone a rennaisance as a live music venue (now Lizottes). Something similar at the Victoria in the heart of Newcastle would be a great asset to the city and a marvellous attraction. <br /><br />What a pity that such a historic part of our heritage is allowed to fall into neglect and disrepair.Gregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-90184748004781390552011-08-03T18:49:03.158+10:002011-08-03T18:49:03.158+10:00Good idea, Mark. What would be your priorities?Good idea, Mark. What would be your priorities?Jim Belshawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10075614280789984767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25637657.post-61191014902004079662011-08-03T18:29:34.301+10:002011-08-03T18:29:34.301+10:00Good topic Jim. Off the top of my head, I'd li...Good topic Jim. Off the top of my head, I'd like to see old NSWR buildings preserved. Great for selling the area off to tourism and reminding people of our rich history. I'd even go further and say that old stations and lines that were not spared be rebuilt/reopened as per c1860-1920 plans.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00909736760809374421noreply@blogger.com