Theatre Royal, 162 High Street

This theatre was converted from a Wesleyan Chapel and was the first permanent theatre in Gateshead. It was the scene of the pantomime tragedy (Aladdin) in 1891 when 8 children and the young doorkeeper were crushed to death after a false fire alarm. Apparently one boy dropped a penny on the floor, lit a match to look for it and set fire to a programme. Only 2 buckets of water were needed to put out the fire.

In 1894, the name changed to the Queen’s Theatre and was much more successful. The building was eventually fire damaged in 1922 and Woolworths was built on the site in 1923.