Tivoli Picture Hall

In Newcastle upon Tyne, the Tivoli Picture Hall was situated on Walker Road, at the junction with Raby Street. It was converted from a United Methodist Chapel and schoolroom, and opened just prior to 18th July 1908. Shows were twice nightly, at 7pm and 9pm, and, at each performance in the opening weeks, a “Hot Porridge [eating!] Competition” was held!

The first owner was J. A. Lauder, a stage conjuror. A succession of owners and managers followed him when he left to manage the New Empire (formerly Albert Hall) in Jarrow (see separate Cinema Treasures entry).

Following a fire on 15th April 1910 which destroyed the stage and a piano, the Tivoli Picture Hall was closed until early-1911. New seating was installed and stage built to the plans of architect J.J. Hill. From February 1911 it had been leased by a local company grandly named the British Canadian Animated Picture Company.

It is thought the Tivoli Picture Hall, always a very basic affair, closed sometime in 1912. The building became part of a factory for Numol (a kind of fortified dairy spread) in 1919, but has long-since been demolished.

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