Playhouse (Whitley Bay)

• Theatre ID
  1684
• Built / Converted
  1931
• Dates of use
  • 1925 - 1953
  • 1976: continuing, as theatre
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  dark (theatre, cinema, concert venue - currently (2008/09) undergoing major refurbishment)
• Address
  Marine Avenue, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 1LZ, England

Details

Built for Donald Gilbert (Jesmond Playhouse), retaining stage facilities when it became a cinema. Originally opened as the Kursaal, burnt out in the 1920s and largely rebuilt as a cinéariety theatre with a shallow stage and fly tower. Very simple plain exterior. Plain, remodelled interior with single rake. Owned by the local authority and used for theatre, cinema, concerts etc. Currently (2007-09) closed and undergoing a major refurbishment to improve the auditorium and front of house facilities. Due to re-open spring 2009.

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• Other names
  Kursaal, Essoldo, Playhouse
• Events
  • 1913 Design/Construction: as Kursaal (architect unknown).
  • 1920 - 1929 Alteration: reconstructed after fire (architect unknown).
  • 1925 - 1953 Use:
  • 1931 Alteration: May: opened as theatre with repertory company.
    • Marshall & Tweedy - Architect
  • 1931 Alteration: December: closed and re-opened as cinema.
  • 1934 - 1939 Owner/Management: Playhouse (Whitley Bay) Ltd, proprietors
  • 1956 Owner/Management: Essoldo
  • 1976 Owner/Management: North Tyneside Council, owners; run by independent trust.
  • 1976 Use: continuing, as theatre
  • 1976 Alteration: re-opened as The Playhouse.
  • 1993 Alteration: refurbished with FSA grant of £72,000 (architect unknown).
• Capacities
  • Later: 1939: 1056 1956: 1030
  • Current: 746
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed
• Stage type
  • Proscenium, slight rake
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 9.15m
  • Height to grid: 20.42m
• Latest news
  BPAY 08/09: 'Playhouse closed from August 2007 for major re-development. Provisional opening date spring/summer 2009.' [FB 6.10.08] remotegoat website (Jan 2009): 'The Mayor of North Tyneside has recently pledged £5.5m to the theatre which will enable redevelopment plans to go ahead for the foyer and auditorium areas of the theatre.' NB no date given on web page. [FB 12.1.09]