CHASING THE CIVIC THEATRE GHOSTS

We have a magnificent theatre here in Newcastle.
It's called the CIVIC THEATRE.

The heritage listed Civic Theatre was designed by prominent architect Henry Eli White and opened in 1929.

Regarded as one of the finest architects of the period, Henry White specialised in cinemas or 'picture palaces' as they were then called.

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.(info:http://www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au/About/History)

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 re-open in November of 1993 as Australia's Premier Regional Theatre.

The theatre, as most theatres do, has a history of ghostly sightings.

We have been chasing the ghosts of the Theatre for many years now with another public tour on tonight.

We have a very well known ghost called 'Joe' who appeared to a councillor while he was sitting in the stalls on day and thinking about how to raise some extra money for much needed refurbishments. Joe told him all would be OK and a few months later the 1989 earthquake hit and the theatre could call upon insurance money to fix what was required.

Joe is well known and has been talked about quite often. He has been encountered many of the long term staff of the theatre over the years.

But, we have many more less famous ghosts that also call the Civic home.

The projection room phantom who was caught during a tour a few years ago was an interesting figure.

The shadow man who was caught on our last public tour left us rather amazed!

This picture looks too good to be true?

But...

I have been back and taken a dozen photos with the lights on to see if this was a shadow cast by the lights and cannot replicate it.

It's a good one! Is it a ghost?

These are just two photos taken by guests on our tours - we have a few more.They are just as intriguing.

We have haunted rooms with the theatre that have stories behind them that would explain the energies left within those spaces. Our tour allows people time to see if they can feel these energies for themselves.

Prior to the theatre being built, the site was a very different space with one of the most notorious old hotels in Newcastle inhabiting the spot and well know for it's ladies, it's gambling and it's shanghaiing escapades back in the time when tall ships were in the harbour.

The Black Diamond (which is the name given to coal which was as valuable to Newcastle as diamonds) would have been a crazy place!

What stories this hotel could tell!

The photo above was taken at the time of its demise, when the Temperance movement forced the shut down quite a few hotels in Newcastle. Seemed we had too many drinking spots in the city.

Such a different perspective of our town when you look at this photo.

So some of our ghosts might well date back from that era!

I love visiting the Theatre - it is a magnificent building and a jewel in Newcastle.

I guess that a working theatre like our precious Civic, where there is much joy and entertainment would be the perfect place for a ghost to live out their eternity.

Next time you are in Newcastle, come and enjoy a show - or watch out for our next investigation night and see if you can attract one of the ghosts of the theatre.

They are will to talk if we are willing to listen.