Part Two – post 1920s - Newcastle City Council

former Wintergarden was the better option and conversion plans followed for a Civic
Playhouse.
The 1992 restoration plan for the Civic Theatre included as a later stage of work the
enlargement of the performance space of the Civic Playhouse with a link to the Civic
Theatre facilities. However, this work was not undertaken at the time and HVTC
occupancy terminated in July 1996. Civic Playhouse closed in 1998/9 because the
facility no longer met fire safety and access regulations. In April 1999 and again in
August 2001 investigations were made into refurbishment of the Civic Playhouse with
reconfiguration of the seating. 45 A public forum had debated the status and future of
the Playhouse in May 2000. 46 Options for reopening the Civic Playhouse are still
under investigation.
Figure 24: Part of lithograph of Newcastle in 1889. Darby Street is diagonally placed. The land
section bounded by Darby, Hunter, Auckland and King Streets is represented as well built upon and for
diverse uses. Larger buildings face Hunter Street. The eastern part of Civic Park is fenced but not yet
industrialised. A coal train passes along Burwood Street towards Hunter Street
45 Newcastle Herald 19 April 1999, 21 August 2001
46 Newcastle Herald 6 May 2000
Newcastle Civic and Cultural Precinct History ~ Cynthia Hunter ~ January 2003 page 32