Elswick, Scotswood Road, Nos. 818-830, Crown Electric Theatre

HER Number:
12833

District:
Newcastle

Site Name:
Elswick, Scotswood Road, Nos. 818-830, Crown Electric Theatre

Place:
Elswick

Map Sheet:
NZ26SW

Class:
Recreational

Site Type: Broad:

Site Type: Specific:
Cinema

General Period:
Modern

Specific Period:
C20

Form of Evidence:
Demolished Building

Description:
Opened 24 December 1910 on the site of the Elswick Picture Palace (HER 12832). Owned by Joseph Dobson, auctioneer and house agent. The cinema seated 2000 people (a 1922 source only says 1190). It had an aluminium coated huge screen frame with curtain borders. The builders were Messrs. W.T. Weir and Co and the architects Messrs. White and Stephenson. The floor was sloping to allow clear views of the stage and the cinema was lit by electric. The Crown abandoned variety acts in 1914. Sound came in 1931. In February 1945 it was bought by Essoldo. The cinema closed on 24 November 1962. Bingo had been played there five nights a week since October 1961. The cinema was damaged by fire and vandalism in 1971 and was demolished.

Easting:
2236

Northing:
6333

Grid Reference:
NZ22366333

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
Frank Manders, 1991, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 45-46; Frank Manders, 2005, Cinemas of Newcastle, pages 30, 99, 114, 152, 157