Silk programme for the 'Grand Opening Night' of the Empire Variety Theatre, Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1 December 1890, featuring among others G.W. Hunter, Don Juan a Caceido and Peggy Pryde.

Typographical silk programme printed in salmon-pink lettering on a cream programme with an integral fringe top and bottom, headed with the name of the theatre 'THE NEW Empire Variety Theatre NEWGATE STREET, NEWCASTLE' in upper and lower case lettering, followed by the names of the Lessees, Moss & Thornton; the General Manager Mr. J.G. Allen; the Acting Manager Mr. J. Pellow, and the Musical Director Mr. J.W. Dawson. 'GRAND OPENING NIGHT' is printed below the list of the management, with the information that 'The Queen' will be sung by the whole company before the overture. This is followed by a list of some of the acts for the following week, and in much smaller typeface the name and address of the printer.

This silk programme was printed for the Grand Opening Night of the Empire Variety Theatre Newcastle, 1 December 1890, although the date is not printed on the programme. This was the first theatre built by Horace Edward Moss and Richard Thornton and was one of the earliest of the chain of Moss Empires Variety Theatres that opened around the country between 1890 and 1912 when Moss died.

There were 13 items of entertainment on offer for the opening of the Newscastle Empire starting with an Overture from Maritana by Wallace, followed by Miss Louise de Leau, The Charming and Accomplished Balladist; Professor Thornbury, Lightning Chromographist, Mimic and Ventriloquist; Miss Agnes Hazel, Serio-Comedienne; Edgar Wilson, The Eminent Baritone Vocalist; The Haytors, Anglo-American Grotesques; Mdlle. Aimee Desiree in her original entertainment Mystia; G.W. Hunter, The Popular Comic Vocalist and Dancer; Don Juan a Caceido, The Marvel of Columbia - The Wire King; Peggy Pryde, England's Greatest Characteristic Vocalist and Dancer; Major Newell, The Skatorial Phenomenon; Sisters Cavendish, Duettists and Dancers and Pat Cashan, Irish Comedian.

The programme also list the acts for the following week which included Joseph Darby, Celebrated Jumper; T. .Barrett, The Nobleman's Son; James Taylor and Ada Alexander's Company, and Michael Nolan, Sells and Young etc.

This silk programme with its eye-catching salmon-pink typeface was produced to commemorate the opening of The Empire Variety Theatre Newcastle, on 1st December 1890, after its inspection by the Major and Sheriff of Newcastle. This theatre was the first joint venture of Horace Edward Moss (1852-1912) and Frank Thornton, and one of the earliest Moss Empires Variety Theatres, which at its peak comprised thirty-three theatres, the largest chain in the world. Designed by Oliver and Leeson, the theatre was built to a sumptuous standard, despite the location of the stage above the kitchen of an inn below, which frequently resulted in smells invading the auditorium.

The Old Gaiety Theatre Newcastle closed when the Empire opened and several acts transferred to the new hall. Moss and Thornton appeared on the stage at the opening ceremony and declared they would cater for Newcastle audiences 'with first class matter, free from any objectionable features'.

S.27-2007