1867 Cafe & Box Office temporarily closed following break-in

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House is devastated to report a break-in that occurred in the early hours of Saturday 21 June, as staff were preparing the venue for a weekend of performances by a local youth theatre group.

The incident involved forced entry into the recently opened 1867 Cafe Bar, which also functions as the theatre’s box office. Significant damage was caused to the premises, and hundreds of pounds worth of stock was stolen. This has been disappointing news for the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to preserve and celebrate this much-loved venue. The 1867 Cafe was opened last December as part of the theatre’s Grand Saloon development project, which was funded by the North East Combined Authority, Newcastle City Council, and the theatre’s own Preservation Trust.

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House, a Grade I listed Victorian building of national cultural and historical importance, has stood as a beacon of the performing arts in the North East for generations. The 1867 Cafe Bar was created to enhance the theatre experience and provide a welcoming new space for audiences.

As a result of the incident, the 1867 Cafe Bar and box office will remain closed until repairs can be completed. However, tickets remain available to purchase online and by telephone. The theatre’s full programme of shows and events will continue as scheduled, with doors opening one hour before performances and all other bars operating as normal.

Plans to launch a new pre-theatre dining offer, which was due to begin next week, will now be postponed until further notice.

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Preservation Trust is working closely with authorities and contractors to assess the damage and restore the cafe and box office to full operation as soon as possible. If you would like to donate to the theatre to help cover the cost of replacing stock and undertaking repairs, you can do so here.