\nUnder two years since the closure of the Tower Cinemas on King Street, the return of films will re-activate the CBD, which has experienced major disruption due to COVID-19.
\n
![\"CivicCinema1-Crop-1.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/Movies-on-the-big-screen-set-to-return-to-Newcastl\/CivicCinema1-Crop-1.jpg\" "\\"CivicCinema1-Crop-1.jpg\\"")
\nThe new 7.5 metre x 4.4 metre\u00a0screen combined with the Civic Theatre\u2019s state of the art sound system and individually air-conditioned seats, will provide a cinematic experience like no other in the region.
\nLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said cinema and theatre have a long history in Newcastle\u2019s CBD and City of Newcastle is pleased to offer both live performance and recent release cinema for the enjoyment of the community.
\n\u201cAfter a period where COVID-19 has had such a devastating impact, it\u2019s wonderful that through adding regular film screenings to our Civic Theatre program, we can take this positive step in our city\u2019s journey towards recovery, and provide a boost to surrounding local businesses by attracting more people into the Civic precinct.\u201d
\nThe Civic Theatre opened in 1929, and although designed as a live theatre, it was leased as a cinema for the next 45 years.
\nCivic Theatre Manager Leonie Wallace said locals are thrilled to experience something contemporary but screened in a venue with such historical links.
\n\u201cWe trialled bringing film back to the Civic Theatre in January with a season screening of a selection of the most acclaimed productions from London’s National Theatre at the Civic Playhouse. It was so popular that film screenings in the Civic Theatre was the next obvious step,\u201d Ms Wallace said.
\n\u201cOur new program features a variety of films that appeal to people of all ages and tastes, such as recent release features, documentaries, theatre productions and children\u2019s films during the school holidays.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re also working on securing shows to return to the Civic Theatre stage with the venue\u2019s audience capacity lifted to 500 people from next month, the maximum number allowed under the current Public Health Order.
\n\u201cWe have made changes to how the Civic Theatre operates to enable people to experience cinema and live performance safely with physical distancing requirements and hygiene measures met under our COVID Safe plan.\u201d
\nThe Civic Cinema initiative is part of the Civic\u2019s Beyond the Stage program of cultural offerings outside of the traditional uses of the Civic Theatre and City Hall. So far, this has included the Civic Bar Beats \u2013 Friday evenings of live local music in our Theatre Bar, and lunchtime concerts at City Hall.
\nTickets for Civic Cinema are now on sale through the Civic Theatre website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"