During September the City celebrated the Centennial of Lieutenant John Shortland's Discovery of Newcastle and Alfred Dampier's Company presented his plays including: Robbery Under Arms, Monte Cristo, East Lynne etc.

[1] The theatre's facilities were upgraded in 1905 by architect Mr. E. A. Scott of Sydney with Government approval, the auditorium was redecorated and extra dressing rooms were built which allow the stage to be widened.

[1] The Great Glove Contest Boxing between legendary Les Darcy and Bob Whitelaw was held on Eight Hour Day morning, November 1913.

[1] Another show for charity, Romeo and Juliet, with Miss Essie Jenyns alias Mrs J. R. Wood and Mr Malcolm McEachern of Madam Melba Concert Company with funds in aid of Newcastle Hospital in 1914.

[3] Late 1921 saw a major internal refurbishment costing 20,000 pounds, removing the upper balcony and small hotel, rebuilding the dress circle and making it more suitable for use as a cinema.

Other performances included Odiva and Her Seals (1922), Midnight Frolics with Clem Dawe (1928, 1932), Gilbert and Sullivan collection (1905, 1906, 1927, 1936), the Royal Grand Opera in 1935, and the Gala Patriotic Matinee with Roy Mo Rene in 1940.

(1953), National Opera seasons in 1951 with Ivan Menzies and 1954, Joan Hammond singing in Tosca in 1957, Ziegfeld Follies (1962), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from London (1963), The Sound of Music (1963) and June Bronhill performing The Merry Widow (1964).

[6] The theatrical apparatus was retained as if might one day be reopened for live theatre, the huge velvet stage curtain hanging forlornly at half-mast.

[7][8][9][1] Since closing the theatre the vestibule (lower foyer) and back stalls area has been subject to alteration for retail purposes.

This went into liquidation in 1982. c. 1998 clothing business Jeans Connection rented the building on a weekly basis, creating an internal retail shell.

In 2004 it was bought by veteran hotelier Arthur Launry, and after being empty and derelict for a decade, it was sold to Century Venues (owners of the Enmore Theatre) in November 2015 with plans to refurbish it to its former glory.

[7][1] When in operation, the Victoria was the principal theatre in Newcastle, and over the course of its history had attracted performers such as Gladys Moncrieff, Lily Langtry, Richard Tauber, Joan Hammond and June Bronhill.

The dual career of the nation's oldest theatre ended quietly during 1966 with the screening of a Bette Davis 'B' film Who's Buried in my Grave.

After 90 years of uninterrupted service, the interior of the Victoria has been left practically untouched by owners to ensure that it maintains the potential to be reopened in the future.

The top is terminated by a richly decorated parapet fence, featuring a central tablet with the building's name in moulded lettering.

[1] The decorative elements are relatively intact although the metal awning appears to be a later addition and some of the blind windows have been opened for later screens and vets.

[1] In 2018, the interior of the Victoria Theatre was recreated in virtual reality, as it was in 1891 by Dr Gillian Arrighi and staff from the University of Newcastle.

It represents an age of silent pictures, vaudeville and early legitimate theatre that no other building can offer in this State, being over 100 years old.

It represents an age of silent pictures, vaudeville and early legitimate theatre that no other building can offer in this State - being over 100 years old.

[13][1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

The latter is "recilinear" with the exception of small circular panels on the dress circle balcony above frieze of Greek key pattern.