Music Hall

Today I have been to Newcastle and came across this doorway in Nelson Street.  I didn't really notice the blue plaque but it says that Charles Dickens gave six public readings in the Music Hall between 1852 and 1867.

When the hall opened in 1838 it was used for public lectures, exhibitions and classical music concerts.  In 1879 it became the New Tyne Concert Hall.  It later became part of the Moss Empire chaine and was renamed the Gaiety Theatre.

In the 1890's it's days as a music hall were over as it was taken over by the temperance movement.  Next it became a cinema which lasted until 1949.  However, the building failed a safety inspection and it was closed.  Most of the building was demolished in the early 1960's but the facade was kept.

Amazing what you can find just wondering around streets that you thought you knew well.