Newcastle's iconic Civic Theatre is set to bring the cinema experience back into the CBD for the first time since the 1970s.
A 7.5-metre movie screen has been installed in the main auditorium, along with a state-of-the-art sound system.
It has been nearly two years since the Tower Cinemas on King Street closed, and it is hoped the return of film screenings will reactivate the city's night-time economy.
Manager Leonie Wallace said the lack of a cinema experience in Newcastle did not seem right.
"Every great city has a cinema and so there was an opportunity for us there," she said.
"Last year we trialled, in The Playhouse, some cinema for a few months.
"We screened some National Theatre of London productions, and that was so successful.
"[It was] the obvious step … to do it in this wonderful theatre and this wonderful auditorium."
Under public health guidelines, the 1,400-seat theatre's COVID-safe plan allows for a maximum audience capacity of 500 people.
"It depends on the event, but there'll be one row between where people are seated," Ms Wallace said.
"We'll adhere to the four-square metre rule, so if you book together, you can stay together.
"Then there'll be a vacant row, and then there'll be people seated."
A positive message to the arts sector
Theatre Network NSW coordinator Katrina Douglas said the reopening of a theatre the size of the Civic sent a positive message to the arts sector.
"It's really exciting to hear that the Civic Theatre is opening," she said.
"A theatre of that size, taking that risk, and inviting audiences back in, but in a safe way, so that audiences feel safe and the performers feel safe — it's a really exciting move for the industry."
Ms Douglas, whose organisation is the peak agency for theatre in NSW, said she hoped the Newcastle community "gets behind the Civic and their artists, and go out and enjoy some live performance in a COVID-safe way".
"Artists have been really struggling throughout this period," she said.
"So, the more venues who follow the Civic Theatre and open, the better it will be for artists and also for our wider community."
Reactivating the cultural precinct
City of Newcastle councillor Carol Duncan said it was important for the CBD to have a cinema program after the departure of Tower Cinemas.
"It's an important part of using the wonderful buildings and assets that we have to their fullest potential," she said.
Cr Duncan said the COVID-safe reopening of the Civic Theatre was an important part of reactivating the city's cultural precinct.
"The CBD and its traders and residents have had a really rough time for a few years now, with the massive redevelopment and revitalisation work of the city," she said.
"There's no pretending that hasn't been painful for a lot of people, but I firmly believe that what we're going to see out of that is a whole new concentration of people living in the city and working in the city.
"With the extension of the university campus, the Crystalbrook Hotel, and the reopening of our arts facilities, we're seeing a Newcastle built for the next generations.
"That's so exciting to be part of."
