Majestic Theatre, Launceston

Historic theatre in Launceston, Tasmania

This article is about the historic theatre in Launceston, Tasmania. For other uses, see Majestic Theatre.

Majestic Theatre

The Majestic Theatre in 1917

Address| 76 Brisbane Street
Launceston, Tasmania
Australia
Coordinates| 41°26′11.5″S 147°8′22.85″E﻿ / ﻿41.436528°S 147.1396806°E﻿ / -41.436528; 147.1396806
Owner| Neil Pitts Mensware
Capacity| 1,510
Construction
Opened| 2 June 1917; 108 years ago (1917-06-02)
Closed| 28 February 1970; 55 years ago (1970-02-28)
Years active| 1917–1970
Architect| Marino Lucas (design)
Website
Official site

Tasmanian Heritage Register

Place ID| 3,891[1]
Status| Permanently Registered

The Majestic Theatre is a historic former theatre and cinema in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.

## History

[edit]

The Majestic Theatre was constructed for approximately £A18,000 by Greek–Australian businessman Marino Lucas, opening to a full-house on 2 June 1917.[2] Hundreds of attendees remained outside the building, unable to secure a seat.[3] The theatre could seat 1,510 patrons (450 in the dress circle, 700 in the stalls, and 360 in the back stalls) with a proscenium measuring 9.1 by 7.6 metres (30 ft × 25 ft)[4]

It was Marino Lucas' second theatre in Launceston, following the success of the Princess Theatre.[5] Designed under the supervision of Lucas, the Majestic was architecturally influenced by Lucas' Ithacecian roots. "The architecture is Grecian," commented the Launceston Daily Telegraph, "and at the top one can see glimpses of the ancient Pantheon style."[4]

Centrally located within the Launceston tramway network on a main street, during World War I the Majestic became the busiest and most profitable cinema in Tasmania.[6] Anthony Lucas, the brother of Lucas, may have been influenced by the Majestic's phenomenal success when he planned to construct a centrally positioned theatre in Melbourne. The iconic Capitol Theatre on Swanston Street was designed by Walter Burley and Marion Mahony Griffin under the direction of Lucas in 1924.

The Majestic hosted the world premiere of Ken Hall's Gone to the Dogs in 1939.[7]

Actor Michael Pate visited the Majestic in 1950 to promote the film Sons of Matthew.[8]

Due to the rise in television ownership, the Majestic closed on 26 February 1970. The final film projected was Sweet Charity. It was purchased by brothers Neil and Don Pitt, who converted the building into a menswear store, transforming the mezzanine into a café and utilising the dress circle foyer as a workroom and auditorium as a storeroom.[9]

## Contemporary use

[edit]

The Majestic Theatre has operated as Neil Pitt's Menswear since 1970. The theatre's 1929 projection equipment is on display in the store.[9][10]

## In popular culture

[edit]

Zane Pinner's horror novel Encore, surrounding fictitious hauntings at the Majestic in Launceston was published in 2022.[11]

## See also

[edit]

* List of theatres in Hobart

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Permanent and Provisional Registrations as at 22 Jan 2021" (PDF). Tasmanian Heritage Register. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
2. ^ "Majestic Opens Tomorrow". The Daily Telegraph (Launceston). 1 June 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 24 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
3. ^ "New Theatre for Launceston". Daily Post (Hobart). 4 June 1917. p. 4. Retrieved 24 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
4. ^ a b "The New Majestic. Imposing and Beautiful Theatre". The Examiner (Tasmania). 31 May 1917. p. 6. Retrieved 28 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
5. ^ "Amusements. New Theatre at Launceston". The Mercury (Hobart). 31 May 1917. p. 2. Retrieved 24 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
6. ^ "Largest Tasmanian Theatre". The World (Hobart). 5 March 1919. p. 6. Retrieved 24 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
7. ^ "Stage and Screen Shows". The Examiner (Tasmania). Vol. XCVIII, no. 49\. Tasmania, Australia. 9 May 1939. p. 4 (LATEST NEWS EDITION and DAILY). Retrieved 30 July 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
8. ^ "Film Star Visits Launceston". The Examiner (Tasmania). 24 April 1950. p. 3. Retrieved 24 June 2022 - via National Library of Australia.
9. ^ a b Armitage, Rosemary (April 2019). "Neil Pitt's Menswear". rosemaryarmitage.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
10. ^ Howson, Denzil (1996). "Cinema Record Quarterly Journal, Issue 13". p. 17. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
11. ^ "Encore by Zane Pinner". Goodreads. Retrieved 26 March 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Launceston landmarks

Buildings and structures|

* Boag's Brewery
* Church of the Apostles
* Country Club Casino
* Duck Reach Power Station
* Launceston Gasworks
* Holyman House
* Hotel Grand Chancellor
* King's Bridge
* St Andrew's Kirk
* St John's Church
* Launceston Synagogue
* Trevallyn Dam

Institutions|

* Albert Hall
* Launceston General Hospital
* Launceston Post Office
* Launceston Town Hall

Entertainment|

* Inveresk and York Park Precinct
* Lyceum Theatre
* Majestic Theatre
* National Theatre
* Penny Royal Adventures
* Plaza Theatre
* Princess Theatre
* Star Theatre
* Tamar Valley Resort
* Tasmania Zoo

Galleries and museums|

* Art Gallery at Royal Park
* Entally House
* Franklin House
* National Automobile Museum of Tasmania
* Launceston Tramway Museum
* Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery

Sports|

* Launceston Aquatic
* NTCA Ground
* Elphin Sports Centre
* The Silverdome
* Symmons Plains Raceway
* University of Tasmania Stadium

Transport|

* Launceston Airport
* Metro (bus company)

Nature and parks|

* Cataract Gorge
* Carr Villa Memorial Park
* City Park
* Punchbowl Falls
* Prince's Square
* Trevallyn Nature Reserve
* Royal Park
* Waverley Lake Park
* Zig Zag Reserve

Precincts|

* Launceston Seaport
* Civic Square
* Quadrant Mall

* v
* t
* e

Cinematic and theatrical buildings in Tasmania

Southern Tasmania|

| Hobart|

* Avalon Theatre
* Eastside Drive-In (closed)
* Elwick Drive-In (demolished)
* The Hedberg
* Kingborough Performing Arts Centre
* Moonah Arts Centre
* Odeon Theatre
* Prince of Wales Theatre (demolished)
* State Cinema
* Theatre Royal

|

New Norfolk|

* Plaza Theatre (closed)

Northern Tasmania|

| Launceston|

* Lyceum Theatre (closed)
* Majestic Theatre (closed)
* National Theatre (closed)
* Plaza Theatre (closed)
* Princess Theatre
* Star Theatre
* Village Drive-In (closed)

|

Burnie|

* Burnie Arts & Function Centre
* Burnie Theatre (demolished)
* Star Theatre (closed)
* Vogue Theatre (closed)

Devonport|

* Paranaple Arts Centre
* Star Theatre (closed)

Other|

* Meander Valley Performing Arts Centre, Deloraine
* Lyric Theatre, Scotsdale (closed)

West Coast|

* Gaiety Theatre, Zeehan
* The Paragon Theatre, Queenstown

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