Sevenoaks Playhouse

• Theatre ID
  3100
• Built / Converted
  1985
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  dark (in 2008 - due to re-open early 2009)
• Address
  London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1ZZ, England

Details

The Majestic Cinema opened in 1937, and in 1985 the Sevenoaks Theatre Action Group (STAG) persuaded the District Council to support their efforts by purchasing this building for conversion to a theatre. A significant amount of work was undertaken transforming the main auditorium to a single rake, with the building of new stage (with potential to add a fly tower); the removal of one cinema from the circle and the refurbishment of the cinema beneath the circle. Further works were undertaken in 1991/92 when, in addition to a new hall, extensions were introduced which allowed an increase in capacity and an orchestra pit (for up to 50 musicians). The façe is neo-Georgian in brick and the auditorium has echoes of art deco decoration. The theatre's existence is a tribute to the way in which local people worked to save and develop the building. However, by 2001 the sixty year old structure was said to be in need of substantial maintenance, and a working party was established to develop policy which, among other issues, could look to the creation of a new Stag elsewhere in the Borough. In September 2007 Kino Holdings Ltd took a 25 year lease to run the theatre but the company had to pull out in July 2008 owing to financial difficulties. In October 2008 Sevenoaks Town Council purchased the theatre with a view to reopening in 2009.

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• Other names
  STAG, Majestic, Odeon
• Events
  • 1937 Design/Construction: as Majestic Cinema
    • George Coles - Architect
  • 1974 Alteration: tripled (architect unknown).
  • 1985 Design/Construction: conversion to theatre.
    • Sevenoaks DC Architects’ Dept - Architect
  • 1991 Alteration: extension of theatre; renewal of all services; new public hall to rear, lift for disabled.
    • Sevenoaks DC Architects’ Dept - Architect
  • 2008 Owner/Management: Sevenoaks Town Council
• Capacities
  • Later: post 1991: 700
  • Current: 700
• Listings
  • Grade II