Mexborough and Swinton Times January 11, 1929

Majestic Cinema to Open
To Seat 1,000.
Attractive Inaugural Programme.
Arrangements For Monday.

The Majestic Cinema, Mexboro’, the latest of the enterprises of the well-known Mexboro’ theatre proprietor, Mr. J. J. Woffinden, which is to be opened on Monday by Mr. T. Williams, M.P. for the Don Valley Division, and is one of the most splendidly equipped and handsome picture theatres in the district.

Built by the Mexboro’ Theatres, Ltd., it will seat about 1000 people.

The main entrance is in Bank-street, and there is also an entrance from Market-street, to which the building extends, occupying a sloping area of 110 feet by 70 feet on the land between the two thoroughfares.   The natural advantage was a great help in its construction, and the balcony is only seven steps above the level of Bank-street.

The cinema presents an imposing front to Bank-street, with its terra cotta and pressed brickwork facade, behind which is the main entrance vestibule, from which there is easy access to the auditorium and balcony. The vestibule is beautifully decorated, and in the centre is the ticket office. It gives one an excellent first impression. The ceiling is in cream, and ornamented, relieved with pale blue and gold. The walls have a stipple effect and are panelled with lincrusta and mahogany, with a green dado. Silk shaded wall and roof lights lend a very pretty effect.

Entering the auditorium, one is by no means disappointed after the striking vestibule. It is spacious and airy, and its scheme of decoration is similar to that of the entrance. The main scheme is in stone and buff, and the ornaments are in cream, picked out with gold, blue and green. The lofty proscenium is striking, the white screen being set offs by black velvet and richly coloured gold and blue curtains. The orchestra space is railed off with mahogany, and stops lead up to either side of the stage. Huge silk-covered lights hang from the ceiling, and nowhere can a naked electric bulb be seen, all being obscured with the opaque fireproof fabric. The seats are comfortable, and of red plush and mahogany. There are adequate exits, and the building could be cleared in a few minutes. The seating of the balcony has been arranged in semi-circular form, and an unimpeded view of the screen from all the seats, which are upholstered in old gold plush. The curtains are electrically operated, and when drawn back dim the lights automatically.

Above the vestibule is the operating room, a room where a motor-generator supplies power for the machines and for the safety factor, an accumulator chamber and rewinding room, all of which are fireproof. The two Kalee projectors installed are absolutely the latest type, and the projection should be as near to perfect as possible. An enclosed corridor leads from Market-street to Bank-street, and there is a pay-box at the Market-street end.

The whole scheme was planned by Mr. Harry Slater, the Doncaster architect, in conjunction with the managing director, Mr. J. J. Woffinden. The general contractors were Messrs. T. Jenkinson and Son, Ltd., of Doncaster. The electrical work was carried out by Mr. R. B. Hancock, of Mexboro’, for Mr. Woffinden. The decorations were in the hands of Messrs. B. F. Whatley, Mexboro’, the ironmongery was supplied by Williams and Turpie, Bradford, the terra cotta by the Middleton Fireclay Company, Leeds. and the heating and ventilating apparatus by W. F. Spencer, Crossbank Works. Oldham.

Mr. Tom Williams, M.P., is to declare the cinema, open on Monday evening at 6-30, when he will be supported by other local public men.

A “Star” Attraction.

The first film, which will also be screened on Tuesday and Wednesday is “The Woman on Trial,” featuring Pula Negri, with Einar ‘Janson, and Arnold Kent. Pola Negri is recognised as one of the greatest emotional actresses the screen has ever known, and in this amazing story of tragedy and passion she gives one of her most wonderful portrayals. There will also be screened “Oh Doctor !” one of Reginald Denny’s best productions, which abounds in ludicrous situations.

For Thursday, Friday and Saturday the chief feature will be “Two Arabian Knights,” a comedy of the familiar war type. Two comrades in the American Army make their escape from a German prison camp and manage to get aboard a vessel on its way to Arabia. They are lucky enough to succeed in saving an Arabian girl from a watery grave.