Page 29 - CR

As I recall, I was often dragged
along to see films featuring the pop
stars or groups of the day: Cliff Richard
in Summer Holiday at the Strand is
another one that comes to mind.
The Victoria traded as a jeans store
for many years, later a toy shop and
now sits forlorn in a side street, waiting
to be rescued. It’s a sad sight and I feel
despondent whenever I walk past.
The Lyric, or the New Lyric as it PHOTOS-
was when it closed in 1967, was one of Top L & R: The Victoria Theatre.
the lesser city theatres. Tickets were Left: Lyric as Showcase Cinemas.
always cheaper to films at the Lyric. Below: Modernised Lyrique in 1971.
Even as a child I could see it was
“second best”! It would later be nicely
refurbished and re-opened as the
Lyrique, again by Theo and Margaret,
in 1971. It was the first cinema I recall
with a pinball machine in the foyer. I
took my mother to see the opening
attraction, the Australian historical
drama Adam’s Woman, starring Beau
Bridges. Another of the highlights of
the time for me was The American Film
Theatre, filmed versions of stage plays,
sold in a season on a reserved seat Before the Lyrique was re-opened,
basis, complete with programme. It in May 1970 the Goumas’ opened the
appeared to be a great success. first all new cinema in Newcastle for
The Goumas’ would later add two many years, the single screen
screens to the Lyrique, giving birth to Kensington, with the opening attraction
the three-screen Showcase City being My Fair Lady in 70mm.
Cinemas in 1997.

CINEMARECORD 2011 29