The Story of the Majestic Theatre

The Majestic has survived a chequered past, mostly dictated by the changing fashions of entertainment across an almost 100-year history. We’ve put together a Potted History for you below, which outlines the key points in the theatre’s history of ownership and popularity. We can’t wait to continue writing the next chapter!

Moving On

For many years, the Majestic was a great success - however, in 1943, it was bought by Midland Empire Theatres Ltd, when Cyril Getliffe decided to sell the remainder of his businesses in Retford due to ill health. The theatre was managed by Mr. A. Jackson for the new owner, Mr. Elton.

Opening

On October 17th 1927, ‘The New Majestic Theatre’ opened. Mr. Cyril Getliffe was the owner. It was built as a Cine-Variety theatre, meaning that had capabilities to take both Stage PLays and Moving Pictures. Silent Movies and Plays accompanied by Live Orchestra were watched here first, but the Majestic was ‘wired for sound’ only two short years later.

The theatre was opened with a live stage production of ‘No, No, Nanette’ which ran for a week.

The theatre was designed by architect Alfred J Thraves, of Nottingham. The land was bought from the Territorial Army, and previously it served as larger gardens for nearby houses.

It’s hard to believe that Kings Park around the corner was just marshland when the theatre was opened!

The success of the theatre continued. Professional Variety Shows, Pantomime, Circus and even Ice Shows appeared on stage, alongside the most popular films of the day. Many up and coming Stars performed (also those on the way down!)

Glimmer of Hope?

Much to the delight of the Retford people, the Majestic was bought by a local businessman and converted into a two screen cinema which opened in 1986.

A lot of work was also done on restoring features that had been covered during the Bingo Hall years.

Big Changes

In 1968, under new ownership, the theatre was partially converted to a Bingo Hall, but continued to show films aswell. The Cinema closed in 1983, but the Bingo carried on for another two years before it also had to close. The Majestic was left empty for the first time since it’s opening.

On the left you can see how the stage was split in half height-wise: underneath the seats are gone to make way for a Bingo Hall, and the cinema screen is fitted above. On the right is one of the projectors that was fitted in the rear projection room.

Majestic Rebirth

In 1993, the Majestic Theatre Trust was formed, and raised enough money to buy the theatre! The theatre reopened with some shows, but for safety reasons it was closed shortly afterwards.

In 1996, a small team of dedicated vounteers began to renovate the theatre, including removing walls from the multiple cinema screens.

After a full year of work, the first show for many years was presented. All profits were ploughed back into the restoration fund and work continued to bring the theatre up to new regulations. We owe the theatre’s survival to this amazing group of people.

The initial government decision to close theatres in 1939 was quickly reversed to keep up spirits.

However, there was uproar in the town when the council granted the theatre permission to open on Sundays to show films during the darkest days of World War 2!

But here is a happy photo of local dignitaries and theatre management, after the proceeds for the first Sunday films were donated to the council.

This proved a success for a number of years - however, as more and more people went out of town to the new multiplex cinemas, attendance fell and again in 1992, the theatre closed.

This was the most turbulent period of the history - when there was talk of the fate of the Majestic being a church, flats or even flattened to be a Car Park!

The future was very uncertain for the Majestic, and a group of locals began to rally round…

The Work Continues

This beautiful theatre is staffed entirely by a team of the most dedicated volunteers, who are determined to keep repairing, restoring, maintaining and loving this incredible building for many years to come. Despite a complicated and, at times, uncertain future, the Majestic has survived thanks to the love and care of local residents and artistes who recognise what an asset to Retford and surrounding areas this facility provides.

We have exciting plans for the future, and we hope that we will continue to receive the support of our patrons as we move into the next 100 years of the Majestic Theatre.