‘Royal’s Surprise Local Treasure

The restoration team working on the £4.75 million transformation of Newcastle Theatre Royal are to take design inspiration from an architectural gem salvaged from Wallsend’s demolished Borough Theatre.

The ornate Edwardian gas burner (or ‘sunburner’) was rescued by the regeneration team at North Tyneside Council when the derelict Borough Theatre was demolished in May 2010, at the same time as conservers were on the world-wide hunt for genuine Victorian and Edwardian architectural gems to help in the restoration of the region’s favourite and most well known theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Although, on investigation, it turned out the sunburner (an attractive gas-lit ventilation device used inside theatres in the early 20th century) was too wide to fit the decorative plaster hole in the ceiling of the Theatre Royal auditorium, it nevertheless provided an invaluable template from which the conservation team could make a replica.

The Borough sunburner is currently with artisan craftsmen in London where small scale mouldings are being made of the burners and housing. When ready, the replica will be installed within the original casing in the centre of the Theatre Royal’s auditorium ceiling ready for the re-opening of the restored theatre on 12 September 2011.

The £4.75m restoration of the Theatre Royal to Frank Matcham’s classic 1901 Edwardian design has now reached the half-way point, and is so far running to time and schedule. On 12 September it will re-open with The Madness of George III and audiences will be able to experience the splendour and comfort of its new interior first hand.
Although the Theatre is currently “dark”, there are a variety of shows taking place in the Studio and the Box Office is open. Visit the Theatre Royal Website