01482 613819 Hull Arena, Hull City Hall, Hull New Theatre

Souvenir Brochure 1939-2014 “Dedicated with gratitude to the many thousands of Theatregoers who, through their encouragement and support, have made possible the creation, and existence, of both the ‘Little’ and ‘New’ Theatres in this great city and county of Kingston Upon Hull.” Peppino Santangelo - 21 Years of Management, Commemorative Brochure 1954. A Message from Councillor Geraghty As Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure, Events and Public Wellbeing I am very proud that this October celebrates 75 glorious years of our prestigious Hull New Theatre. From the opening performance in 1939 to the current date, the theatre continues to provide a diverse programme of high quality events which offer something for everyone. These are exciting times for Hull as we look forward to becoming City of Culture in 2017 and there is no doubt that Hull New Theatre will play a very important part in the programme of events and the legacy that follows. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our valued patrons for your support over the years and look forward to welcoming you and a new generation to enjoy another successful 75 years of first class entertainment. Councillor Geraghty Portfolio Holder - Culture, Leisure, Events and Public Wellbeing Did you know… 11 Peppino Santangelo retired in 01 The theatre’s story began in 1924 1958 and William Sharpe took with the formation of the Hull over as manager. Repertory Theatre Company, who performed at a lecture hall next to In 1961 Hull City Council 12 purchased the theatre, with the current premises, known as the help from Alderman Frederick Little Theatre. Holmes and Councillor Lionel The little Theatre 1936 Theatre The little Rosen, and saved it from being turned into a bingo hall! When Peppino Santangelo Performances continued 02 took over the Little Theatre 06 throughout the war and the In 1968 £30,000 was spent on in 1933 it had Spanish bar was used as a 13 improvements, including the no telephone, bomb shelter. re-seating of the auditorium no advance and enlargement of the Programmes contained the booking orchestra pit. The improved 07 encouraging words ‘the theatre facilities, no facilities made the theatre a is a safer place than your Box Office, leading venue in the national own home’! no bars or touring circuit and attracted cloakrooms! The theatre received a direct international artists such 08 hit during the holocaust of 7th as the Yugoslav National In 1937 and 8th May 1941 Dance Company. 03 Santangelo purchased Peppino Santangelo - 1933 During the week of 28th July the Assembly 09 1941 rain poured in through Rooms next door to the the bomb wrecked scene Little Theatre, which is now dock, flooding the dressing the New Theatre. rooms, but the show Electrician Robert Carr went on! 04 designed the elaborate stage switchboard and scenic artist The theatre was purchased by and stage manager Bert Linton 10 Whitehall Theatres Ltd in 1951. The theatre was renamed Hull designed the lofty stage grid 14 New Theatre in 1985 following and spacious scenic studio. a massive refurbishment. A Royal Gala attended by The New Theatre, Hull officially 05 Princess Anne took place opened on Saturday October featuring performances from 16th 1939 with a production of Opera North, and the English Noel Gay’s Me and My Girl. Philharmonic Orchestra. There are 1159 seats in the There are usually two shows 20 auditorium: 680 in stalls, 185 28 per day six days a week during on the dress circle, 282 on pantomime, with the exception the upper circle and 6 in each of Christmas Eve and New of the two boxes which are Year’s Eve. positioned either side of the Margot Fonteyn performed stage. 29 with the Vic Wells Ballet Company shortly after the Weekly shows normally open theatre’s opening in December 21 on a Monday or a Tuesday 1939 and again in February evening and opening night is 1940, returning in February usually press night. 1976 with a one woman show. Matinees usually take place In 1968 the Czechoslovakian 22 at 2.30pm on a Thursday and 30 State Dance Company visited a Saturday. the theatre at the time that Russia had occupied their 15 In 1989 the Theatre celebrated 23 An interval usually lasts 20 its 50th anniversary with a minutes and takes place country. The dancers spent special week long production approximately halfway through much of their time off-stage of the Secret of Sherlock a performance. listening anxiously to radio broadcasts. Holmes, starring Jeremy Brett Ballets and operas sometimes and Edward Hardwicke from have two intervals. Prior to the introduction the ITV series. Management ‘open the house’ 31 of computerised ticketing 24 approximately half an hour systems all tickets had to be In 1994/95 the exterior of the before the performance written in longhand as they 16 building underwent further begins, this means that were sold and each night a list restoration and improved patrons are able to take their of seats sold in advance was access with the installation of seats in the auditorium. given to the usherettes who a lift from street level to foyer placed ‘reserved’ notices on and foyer to stalls bar. The auditorium is raked and them. 25 slopes from row K to row Z. The stage type is ‘flat’, When the theatre opened in 17 The theatre has two licensed 32 ‘proscenium’ with ‘apron’. 26 1939 World War II was already bars; the stalls bar, which can underway and the day of the The orchestra pit is flexible, 18 be accessed via the spiral official opening on October holding 7-10 people, in two staircase in the foyer, and the 16th was also the day of the sections. circle bar on the upper floor. first German air raid on There are 15 dressing rooms at The ‘get in’ usually takes the UK. 19 the theatre, 13 of which are at 27 place the day before the show basement level and 2 of which opens for a weekly run; this is The theatre shares its birthday 33 with playwright Oscar Wilde are located upstairs. when the set is installed on (1854 – 1900) and has staged the stage. many of his greatest works, the first of which was Lady Windermere’s Fan in 1947. Me and My Girl was first There are an average of 14 41 performed in 1939 and has 47 front of house staff, 10 bar been performed numerous staff, 10 technical staff, 2 box times over the years and was office staff working at each last performed here in 2013 by performance. local theatre company One Off Productions. 48 Hull New Theatre is rumoured to be haunted by a ghost called Charlie. During a performance of La 49 Rondine by Opera North in 2000, there was a technical 34 The founder of the theatre was called Peppino Santangelo. hitch on stage and the performance was finished from Hull New Theatre is a one of the boxes. 35 receiving theatre and hosts There is a blue plaque on the various touring productions 50 throughout the year. side of the theatre stating ‘In this building in 1859 and 1860 36 Hull New Theatre joined twitter the novelist Charles Dickens in 2012. Follow us at (1812 - 1870) gave selected @newtheatrehull readings from many of his works.’ Customers can purchase 37 42 The most successful tickets online at www.hullcc. pantomime so far is Cinderella 51 The fastest selling show in gov.uk/hullnewtheatre and can in 2011 - 2012 starring The recent years was Michael select their seats from a virtual Chuckle Brothers. McIntyre on 17 June 2012, which seating plan. sold out within a couple of The longest serving current hours. A Gold Card Membership 43 38 member of staff is Stage scheme is available offering During the floods in 2007 the Manager Allan Green who has discounts and special offers. 52 dressing rooms at basement worked here for 34 years. level were flooded and 4 39 Touring companies often sign 44 Hull New Theatre is a Grade II performances of Starlight the back of the safety curtain listed building. Express had to be cancelled after performing (not visible to until the performers could Pantomime traditionally the public) 45 replace their specialist started on Boxing day, moving roller skates. The staircase for Sunset to start at the beginning of 40 Boulevard in 2001 would not fit December in the late 1970’s. 53 Over 70,000 ice-creams are sold on average each year. through the usual get in doors Macbeth has been performed so a larger entrance had to be 46 a number of times over the Over the last 12 years more built backstage. years, however it is unlucky to 54 than a million people have say ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre and been to see the pantomime at is usually referred to as ‘The Hull New Theatre. Scottish Play’ More than 170,000 people visit The Blue plaque outside the There are three warning 55 the theatre in an average year. 64 theatre reads: Built as the 71 bells at 1 minute intervals Assembly Rooms in 1830 starting 3 minutes prior to It is said to be unlucky to (design by R. H. Sharp under the show to warn customers 56 whistle backstage in the the direction of Charles that the performance is theatre. Mountain, Arch.) this building about to commence. Once Chitty Bang Bang was one of became the New Theatre in all customers are in the 57 the biggest productions to 1939 and is now owned and auditorium the Front of House date, there were 30 backstage run by Hull City Council.

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