Pomona’s Majestic Theatre is set to host its 100th birthday Grand Finale celebrations in style, by applauding its signature silent movies and cheering on some acclaimed entertainment.
The much-anticipated community event on Sunday, September 19, will see the world’s longest-running authentic silent film theatre stage an exciting line-up of acts.
Majestic Theatre vice-president Alison Hadfield said the finale would have more of a cultural theme compared with the previous three events held this year in celebrating the Heritage-Listed venue’s centenary.
“We’ll be featuring resident organist and icon Ron West playing the rare 1937 Compton
theatre organ during the screening of a short Laurel and Hardy film,” Ms Hadfield said.
“The organ’s pretty special as it’s one of only four in the world.”
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many other instruments.
The previous organ was extensively damaged in major flooding of the theatre 10 years ago.
Brisbane’s Linnett family donated the Compton organ, which took more than six-and-a-half years to restore.
Another highlight of the event program will be renowned Brisbane organist David Bailey, an established player with the highly acclaimed Theatre Organ Society of Australia.
“David’s the only other organist in Australia who can accompany silent films,” Ms Hadfield
said.
“We’ll also be having our resident back-up organist Chris Rose playing a beautiful white grand piano owned by Noosa Jazz Society.”
Other musicians honouring Noosa hinterland’s grand old dame include members of the Arioso Chamber Ensemble – the only baroque group on the Sunshine Coast, featuring Hungarian soprano Judit Molnár, Margaret Caley (violin), Belinda Manwaring (cello) and Janet Brewer (harpsichord).
Performing to critical acclaim at the 2016 New England Bach Festival, the group will be
playing pieces from its latest CD Pearls, featuring classic baroque arias and instrumental
music.
“We feel very privileged to be playing at this special event,” Ms Brewer said.
“We’ve played at the Majestic Theatre at least three times before and the acoustics are excellent, so when we’re on stage, we don’t need microphones as everyone can hear us clearly.”
silent movie theatre in the world.
Mr West, the theatre’s previous owner and life-long silent film buff who helped put the theatre on the map, said he was looking forward to Sunday’s event.
“I didn’t think there’d be much interest in silent film, but it’s grown out of proportion,” he said.
“Even a friend from Brisbane told me over the weekend there were two commercial cinemas running silent films there, which I find quite astounding.
“There’s an increasing number of people interested in silent movies and every Saturday we
always have a different audience at The Majestic.”
Ms Hadfield recently co-authored a book with Kathy Lynch, titled 100 Years of Majestic Memories, and will be presenting a digital slideshow of historical
images depicting the theatre throughout the decades as part of the grand finale.
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Ms Hadfield said the new bar, built by theatre president Vince Scheenhouwer, would create an inviting area for guests in time for the event.
“We’ll have a much better space for people to sit, chat and have a drink before the show
without all the noise travelling through to the hall,” she said.
“And it’s also much safer for social distancing. We’re really excited it’s going to be open for the 100th birthday grand finale.”
Along with the laying of two stars on the sidewalk, including a champagne toast with birthday cake, Sunday’s event promises to be a cultural highlight of 2021.
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O‘Brien and State Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton are some of the distinguished guests attending the celebrations.
To book, visit the Majestic Theatre website.
