News: Tyne Theatre & Opera House Secures National Lottery Funding to Restore Historic Gallery Seating

Tyne Theatre & Opera House Secures National Lottery Funding to Restore Historic Gallery Seating

Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Theatre & Opera House has announced a major milestone in its ongoing restoration efforts, thanks to generous support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Grade I listed Victorian theatre, a much-loved fixture in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, has been awarded £247,500 to begin crucial restoration work on its gallery tier. This work, set to commence in Summer 2025, will see the return of traditional sightlines and an increase in capacity—enhancing both the comfort and experience of future audiences.

Photo: Neal Ferry

At the heart of the restoration is the removal of a timber overlay that was installed in 1986, which currently obscures original seating rows. The upcoming works will not only improve visibility and reduce the need for obstructive handrails, but also restore the historic layout with newly designed heritage-style seating that balances authenticity with twenty-first-century comfort.

“Historically, the Tyne Theatre & Opera House is a venue that has been saved numerous times through the hard-work and dedication of the community,” said Jonathan Higgins, CEO of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House. “Not only is this testament to how valued this venue is but also highlights how crucial volunteers are in helping charities like the Tyne Theatre & Opera House Preservation Trust. From Trustees, to maintenance, to research volunteers, we’re incredibly grateful for all volunteer support, past, present and future, which ensure this heritage gem can be enjoyed by future generations.”

In addition to the physical restoration, the theatre is launching a moving new initiative: “The Seat of Memories”. This digital recording project will collect and preserve personal recollections from the public about their visits to the venue. These recordings will be added to the theatre’s growing performance database, which already includes all known shows from 1867 to 1919, and will be expanded to include films from the building’s time as a cinema.

Project Director David Wilmore added, “Restoring the gallery is the beginning of an ambitious project to fully restore the whole site in a sympathetic manner that also caters for 21st century comfort. We are incredibly grateful to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for their continued support on this journey of re-discovery which will focus on our local arts communities.”

The project has been warmly received by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Tyne Theatre & Opera House with their ambitious restoration project to ensure that it continues to be a venue that brings joy to its audiences,” said Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North. “We are also excited to be supporting ‘The Seat of Memories’ project, which means that money raised by National Lottery players will not only preserve the fabric of the building, but also the treasured memories of theatregoers.”

The fully restored gallery is due to reopen in Autumn 2025, marking a major step forward in the theatre’s long-term vision.

This latest development follows the successful completion of an earlier restoration phase, which included the installation of an energy-efficient heating system, the unveiling of the 1867 Café Bar, and the transformation of the former Bistro Bar into the 1867 Hall—a flexible new space for performances, community events, and hospitality.

As the Tyne Theatre & Opera House celebrates 10 years of independent, not-for-profit operation, it continues to reinvest every penny of box office, venue hire, and bar income back into maintaining and enhancing this architectural treasure.

To support the theatre or explore its upcoming programme, visit: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk