Majestic prepares to celebrate
It’s going to be all go at Taihape’s Majestic Theatre in November, with two big occasions looming.
First, there’s a centenary to be celebrated on November 12, even though the Majestic was first built in 1912, to be built again in 1917 after it burned down the year before.
Then on November 22, The Bright Lights of Taihape is coming to the Tui Street theatre, after successful seasons in New Plymouth and Palmerston North.
Billed as a thriller-comedy, the 50-minute one-hander is based on the eve of Gumboot Day and depicts a frantic police search for the miscreants who have apparently stolen all the town’s gumboots - thus placing the big day in serious jeopardy.
Playwright and performer Loren Mason is the sole actor and is kept busy for the duration, playing eight characters.
Majestic manager Simone Simpson said the doors opened at 6.30pm for drinks and nibbles.
She was pleased agreement had been reached over the staging of Bright Lights and was confident there would be plenty of local interest in the play.
Highlights of the theatre’s centenary bash will include the launch of Manawatu Standard journalist Carly Thomas’ book on the chequered history of the Majestic.
It is a story of an institution that arose, literally, from the ashes after a disastrous fire, and later dodged death by bulldozer near the turn of the century.
Fortunately the people of Taihape rallied round and a rescue mission was mounted to ensure the Majestic lived on.
The late Pam Collier and her husband stepped in to stop demolition - $6000 was needed to pay to make the demolition contractor go away.
Taihape, which in common with many small New Zealand towns, has been rocked by the closure of public and private facilities alike that people thought would be around forever, fought back over the Majestic, seen as a loss too far.
Also on the centenary programme, which will see the Majestic’s doors open at 10am for people to look around, is showings of the short 1977 film Dagg Day Afternoon ,a photo display, speeches, cakecutting and a rendition of 1920s songs by Taihape’s own Arcadian choir.
Rangitı¯kei District Council gave a grant for costs, and Whanganui Community Foundation a grant toward the centenary history book.