Stockton Globe

Stockton Globe is a Grade II listed art deco theatre standing at the north-western end of Stockton High Street, in the heart of Stockton-on-Tees. Run by ATG Entertainment, it was built with seating for 2,372 and mixes touring music, comedy, family shows and one-off events across a single large auditorium of stalls and circle. The building carries real history: it hosted The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry and Cilla Black before falling silent in 1975, and reopened after a major restoration in 2021. Bars include the LINK and the art deco 1935 Bar.

A theatre has stood on this stretch of Stockton High Street since 1913, when the original Globe opened as the area's first purpose-built cinema. It was demolished in 1925 and rebuilt the following year, going on to show the district's first talkies.

The building most people picture today dates from 1935, when the site was rebuilt again as a leading variety theatre with cinema facilities and seating for 2,372. In 1938 it became an ABC cinema, though live work carried on around the films, including an annual pantomime, ballet and touring West End productions. From the 1950s to the 1970s, under the ABC Theatre name, it was one of the region's premier stages: Buddy Holly, The Platters, Guy Mitchell, The Animals, Cilla Black, Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry all appeared, and The Beatles played twice, the first time on 22 November 1963. The Rolling Stones performed here several times, including two 1966 shows shared with Ike and Tina Turner and The Yardbirds.

Pantomime seasons drew their own famous names, with Cliff Richard, The Shadows and Lonnie Donegan making acting debuts on the Stockton stage. Cliff Richard and The Shadows wrote 'Stars Fell on Stockton' here, along with much of the music for the film Summer Holiday. As a cinema the venue screened the region's first 3D film, House of Wax, in 1953, and its final film, The Sting, in June 1974. Status Quo were the last rock band to play, in December 1974, and the very last show was a London Philharmonic Orchestra concert on 5 February 1975. The building then served as a bingo hall before closing altogether in 1997.

Much of the original ornamental detail survived the years of closure, and the Theatres Trust, which had the Grade II listed building on its 'at risk' register, called it an excellent example of its kind. Restoration was announced in 2010 at an estimated cost of four million pounds; structural problems and delays pushed the final figure to 27.9 million pounds, and the theatre finally reopened in 2021, with McFly the first act to perform on the Globe stage since 1975.

All entrances to the theatre are step-free and wheelchair accessible. One passenger lift serves the stalls and circle areas, measuring 90cm wide by 127cm long with a maximum load of 630kg.

Wheelchair spaces

There are 12 wheelchair positions in the auditorium, all suitable either for staying in your chair or for transferring into an auditorium seat. Let the team know your preference in advance or on arrival. Spaces measure 90cm by 120cm.

• Stalls Row C: seats 1, 2, 25 and 26
• Stalls Row G: seats 1 and 30
• Stalls Row K: seats 1 and 33
• Circle Row E: seats 11, 14, 24 and 27

Steps and levels

• All stalls seating is step-free and reachable by lift.
• The circle has step-free access to the wheelchair positions in Row E; all other circle seats involve a minimum of three steps.
• Lower Circle: 4 steps from the LINK, or 13 steps minimum from the main entrance, with 6 further downward steps to the front of the section.
• Mid Circle: 13 steps minimum from the main entrance, with 15 more to the back of the section.
• Upper Circle: 34 steps minimum from the main entrance, with 16 more to the back row.

Facilities

• Accessible toilets on every level.
• The LINK and Stalls bars are step-free and wheelchair accessible with lowered counter sections, as is the 1935 VIP bar. The Circle bar is not, and an at-seat service is provided for circle customers instead.
• Stalls and circle seats are individual fold-downs with armrests; because of the building's heritage there is some variation in seat widths, and staff are happy to recommend seats to suit your needs.

Assisted performances

• Audio described performances use the Mobile Connect app, so you can sit anywhere in the auditorium. Touch tours may accompany them and are advertised on each show's page.
• Row F of the stalls is recommended for anyone who wants a closer view of the stage.
• A Mobile Connect hearing enhancement system is in place; use your own device or request one in advance and speak to the Access Host on arrival.
• Assistance dogs are welcome and can be looked after by staff during the performance if arranged in advance.

Booking

To book a wheelchair space with an essential companion in the same transaction, call the accessibility line on 0333 009 5399 (Typetalk 1800 1 0333 009 5399) or email StocktonAccess@atgentertainment.com.