The Majestic Theatre, 1 Upper Green, Mitcham
Later - Alpha / Caesars Bingo Club
See also - The Majestic Theatre, High Wycombe - The Majestic Theatre, Wembley - The Majestic Theatre, Staines - The Majestic Theatre, Woodford
Above - The Majestic Theatre, Mitcham when it first opened in 1933 - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The Majestic Theatre was situated on the corner of Upper Green West and St. Mark's Road in Mitcham, opposite Fair Green, and was the fourth of five Majestic Theatres built for the Majestic Theatres Corporation, Ltd., of 151, Great Portland Street, W.1., who built a chain of independent Theatres, all in the outer London Suburbs and the South East. The Theatre, which opened on the 6th of October 1933 was designed by S. B. Pritlove with an Art Deco interior by W. E. Greenwood and could seat over 1,500 people.
Right - The Auditorium of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham when it first opened in 1933 - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The Majestic Theatre was built primarily as a Cinema but did also have a fully equipped stage with a depth of 16 feet and a 42 foot wide proscenium, and had two dressing rooms. The Theatre also had its own cafe for patrons. Although the Theatre was not originally fitted with an Organ it did acquire one the following year, a Compton with illuminated console which was situated on a lift that could rise up from the orchestra pit.
The Kinematograph Weekly reported briefly on the Theatre's opening in their 5th of October 1933 edition saying:- 'On Friday evening the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham, will be opened by J. Chuter Ede, the chairman of the Surrey County Council. The new building which is Controlled by an independent concern, of which W. E. Greenwood is chairman - stands on the site of the original Fair Green. It Occupies a commanding position, and the white brick frontage makes a conspicuous landmark. The kinema will seat over 1,500 persons. It is a praiseworthy endeavour to provide an important suburb with the equivalent type of picture house to be found in Central London. S. B. Pritlove. L.R.I.B.A., was the architect and the decorative scheme was evolved by W. E. Greenwood. Mr. Pritlove has been associated with the planning of a number of kinemas and Mr. Greenwood has acquired a reputation for "atmospheric" decorative ideas. In the Mitcham house he, however, has relied upon a modern treatment, though somewhat startling in conception. Red and black lines, with beige intervening is a prominent feature.' - The Kinematograph Weekly, 5th of October 1933.
Above - A Longitudinal Section Plan of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The Builder also reported on the new Majestic Mitcham, in their 13th of October 1933 edition, along with several images shown here, saying:- 'The construction of this cinema is of steel framework, concrete, and brickwork.
Right - The Crush Hall of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham when it first opened in 1933 - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
All the floors are of concrete reinforced with steel, the balcony steppings being of reinforced concrete cast in situ, forming a monolithic mass. The elevations are in Midhurst white bricks, relieved with dark red bricks around the windows and with red brick plinth along St. Mark's-road.
The main entrance is on a large sweeping curve, and is carried out in light cream-colour faience. The entrance vestibule is paved with black and buff tiles, the walls being treated in a light colour.
Left - The Tea Lounge at the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham when it first opened in 1933 - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The crush hall immediately adjoins the entrance. A lighting cornice runs around the crush hall formed with fibrous plaster and glass leaves. Ample cloak room accommodation is provided entered off the crush hall and also at tea-lounge level. From the crush hall the main auditorium is entered by means of two pairs of oak doors. A wide flanking staircase leads up to the balcony and tea lounge.
Above - The Auditorium of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham when it first opened in 1933 - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The auditorium provides seating for over 1,500 people, the stalls alone accommodating 1,020. There are 10 exits in all. The decoration is modern in character, the walls being plastered with a textural surface and painted. The colour scheme is beige and pink relieved with red and black. The main lighting is provided by a moulded glass cornice around the main auditorium and coved ceiling opposite the proscenium. This is augmented with two large central fittings. Special attention has been paid to the heating and ventilation, a full plenum system having been installed.
Above - S. B. Pritlove's Plans of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham - From The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
The general contractors, Messrs. J. Elliman and Son, Ltd., were also responsible for the whole of the joinery. Mr. S. B. Pritlove, L.R.I.B.A., is the architect. Among the principal sub-contractors are:- Dorman, Long & Co., Ltd., steelwork; London Radiator Heating Co., Ltd., heating and ventilation; Troughton and Young, Ltd., electrical installation; Adams Bros. (Liverpool), Ltd., fibrous plaster work; London Spray and Brush Painting Co., Ltd., decorative painting; W. Ileselden, plastering; D. C. Spooner and Son, plumbing; Trussed Concrete Steel Co., Ltd., balcony and "Hy-rib" metal lathing; John Bolding and Sons, Ltd., sanitary fittings; F. Bradford and Co., Ltd., pre-cast steps; Shaw. Glazed Brick Co., Ltd., terra cotta work; Diespeker and Co., Ltd., terrazzo work and wall tiling; John Stubbs and Sons, marble work; Newalls Acoustic Products, Ltd., acoustic material; General Electric Co., Ltd., electrical controlling gear; Garton and Thorne, Ltd., canopy and bronze work; James A. Jobling and Co., Ltd., moulded glass; Major Equipment Co., Ltd., stage lighting; R. T. Goddard and Co., Ltd., asphalt; Arthur R. H. Malted, Ltd., steel and iron staircases; Crittall Mfg. Co., Ltd., metal casements; Mellowes and Co., Ltd., metal lantern light; Independent Sprinklers, Ltd. fire hydrant installation; Courtney Russell Co., Ltd., electric light fittings; D. Burkle and Son, Ltd., wood panelling; Stevens and Adams, Ltd., oak flooring; Robert Adams, floor springs, automatic panic bolts; Mono Concrete Co., Ltd., floor tiles; Plastona, Ltd., waterproofing concrete; Potter Ras Gate Co., Ltd., collapsible gates; O'Brien Thomas and Co., Ltd., rainwater heads; David Rowell and Co., Ltd., ventilators; R. C. Cutting and Co., Ltd., lightning conductor; Pugh Bros., Ltd., mirrors; A. E. Davis, ironmongery; Hewittic Electric Co., Ltd. "Hewittic" rectifier; A. Davies and Co., Ltd., shop fronts; James Stott & Ltd., cafe set; Citadel, Ltd., tea lounge chairs; and Telephone Mfg. Co , Ltd., clocks.'
The above text in quotes was first published in The Builder, 13th of October 1933.
Above - A Google StreetView Image showing the rough site of the Majestic Theatre, Mitcham in April 2018 - Click to Interact.
The Majestic Theatre, Mitcham had first opened under the ownership of the Majestic Theatres Corporation, Ltd., on the 6th of October 1933, but it was taken over by ABC in March 1934 who then installed a Compton Organ in the Theatre. ABC went on to run the Theatre for many years but finally closed it on the 25th of November 1961.
Right - A Still from a short film on the history of the Mitcham Majestic which can be viewed here.
After its closure the Theatre was then converted for Bingo use as an Alpha, later Caesars, Bingo Club, opening on the 30th of March 1962 with a Gala Reopening of 'American Bingo' with a guest appearance by Hughie Green, see advertisement left.
Left - An Advertisement for the opening of 'American Bingo' at the Majestic Cinema, Mitcham in 1962 with a guest appearance from Hughie Green - From the Streatham News, 30th of March 1962.
Bingo at the Majestic was itself closed in the late 1970s however, and the Theatre was then demolished for the construction of a new Sainsbury's Supermarket on the site. Today the site of the former Theatre is in use for housing.
A few years after its closure as a Cinema in 1961 the Theatre's Compton Organ was removed and reinstalled in St. John Fisher's Roman Catholic Church in Northfield. It was restored by Barry Magill and his father over the course of 4 years, and Barry Magill then went on to become the organist at the Church in the late 1960s.
An interesting Video on the history of the Mitcham Majestic can be viewed here.
Some of the information for this Theatre was gleaned from the excellent Cinema Treasures Website.
If you have any more information or Images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.