watching .........

........... the deconstruction of the Majestic Theatre.

This first fully steel framed building built in Christchurch was opened in 1930. The office spaces were occupied by the Dept of Labour (now Work and Income) and the luxurious theatre, complete with sound apparatus for the "talkies", was leased to Christchurch Cinemas. The art deco style building was billed as "The Showplace of Christchurch".

It was sold in 1946 to Kerridge-Odeon but was badly damaged by fire later that year. After renovation it became a popular venue for live stage shows - including The Kinks, the Dave Clark Five, Manfred Mann, and The Beatles played there on 27th June 1964 - almost 50 years ago.

It was closed in the early 70's and converted to a nightclub named Moby Dicks Nite Spot, but again it was badly damaged by fire. It was then purchased by a member of the Christchurch Revival Fellowship Church and became the home of the City New Life Centre in the late 1970s.

Interesting history which I knew nothing about until today - I can only remember it being a church.