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Above: Demolition of The Majestic in August 1987. The beautiful auditorium reduced to a pile of rubble.
Photographer: Dean Johannsson. Photo: David Lascelles collection.

The days of the large single-screen For some time the theatre had been Today the centre is the hub of
stand-alone picture palaces were over looked after by Embassy manager Bob business and commerce. Few people
and in some cases the smaller suburban Williams (who started there as a know and even less remember that once
theatres as well. The Roxy closed in doorman in 1948) and wondered if his upon a time Wellington’s largest picture
1974, the Princess in 1975, the Regent theatre would be next. Just along the theatre stood upon the site, entertaining
1979, the same year R.J. Kerridge (Sir street Kerridge-Odeon’s new Regent 3 and providing enjoyment to many
Robert) died. In 1980 the Kings closed, Cinemas were doing well, only some generations of people.
to be rebuilt as a twin, and the first two years old.
multiplex opened. For 55 years the Majestic Theatre
By 1980 Fullers’ prestige theatre had been providing entertainment and
was reduced to second and third-rate on 25 May the Cabaret also shut its
features such as Motel Hell and was doors to the public.
only using the Dress Circle. Some Kerridge-Odeon sold the property
sessions saw less than a dozen people and land to Govas Holdings Ltd who
and at a 5.15pm show on Saturday, planned to develop an Indian food
often none. market and retail centre on the site. In
On May 19 1984 without any August the cabaret reopened briefly but
fanfare and after the final screening of the proposed market and shopping centre
Hercules, the Majestic shut its doors. did not eventuate. Early in 1988 David
Govas sold the site to Primacq Holdings
Ltd for commercial development.
Demolition began early August 1987,
taking some four weeks, however it
wasn’t until 25 August 1988 that
contractors Mainzeal began building.
The subsequent Majestic Centre and
Left & Above: Demolition of the Majestic
Tower took 32 months to complete with underway in August 1987.
Mainzeal finally signing off the project Photographer: Dean Johansson.
in April 1991. Photo: David Lascelles collection.

30 2010 CINEMARECORD