The Hub Theatre, Newtown

Formerly the Bridge Theatre, the present day Hub was built in 1913 and operated as a live Vaudeville theatre until 1934 when it was converted into a cinema. In the 1950s and 1960s, the Hub showed non English language films to cater for Newtown's large migrant population.

In the early 1970s, which was when I first became aware of the Hub, it operated as a most insalubrious blue movie venue (not that I ever went there). It closed in the mid 1990s and had limited use since, except for storage, a couple of stage shows and second hand book stalls from time to time. It had been left to become derelict and occasional plans to revive it came to nought.

Until today. Imagine our surprise when we were walking past the Hub and an enthusiastic man was encouraging passers by to enter, saying that today was its reopening. So we went in and it had me gasping. It's had a total restoration job and for today at least it's full of antique and second hand books and music stalls.

The light fittings are fabulous. The main shows round lights with art deco speed lines, and also a sorry looking rack of second hand clothes. The extra shows the 'flying saucer' lights on the ceiling, of which there are 11.

Thanks for hosting Marlieske. Stay well all.