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- May 28, 2015
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History
The Futurist Cinema and Theatre, which can be found in Scarborough, was constructed and fully competed in 1921. Originally it functioned exclusively as a cinema, up until 1958 when its stage area was extended to provide live performances; Shirley Bassey, The Beatles and Ken Dodd were some of the notable acts. In later years, as the site expanded, it also absorbed the adjacent Arcadia Theatre and this was developed into a lounge area. By the 1980’s, Scarborough Borough Council assumed control of the venue and thereafter it was leased to Apollo Leisure Ltd. who ran it until 2002. In December 2002, Barrie C. Stead, the owner of Hollywood Plaza Cinema, bought the Futurist Theatre and refurbished it; installing new projectors, a CinemaScope screen and a DTS sound system. The Futurist, however, closed on 5th January 2014 because a report conducted by the local council suggested that the site was “beyond the point of refurbishmentâ€. The council is now marketing the entire site for redevelopment.
Inside, the Futurist Theatre has a large auditorium with a deep circle, and it is supported on twelve individual columns. In addition to these features, there is also a raised gallery which is divided into separate boxes. The ceiling is divided into two sections which are split by a wide arch: the front part is original with an elliptical dome containing three ornamental ventilation grilles, while the second, which dates from 1968, is much more basic. Finally, there is a deep wide stage with a full tower and counterweight sets.
In October 2014, the BBC reported that Flamingo Land placed a bid to purchase the Futurist Theatre. If successful, the developers intend to demolish the site to make way for a rollercoaster, botanical gardens and a magical cave-themed attraction. The proposed name for this new attraction is ‘Flamingo Land Coast’. Although campaigners have petitioned to save the 1920’s Futurist Theatre, no further decisions have been publically released.
Our Version of Events
It was 1am (ish) one random week day when we found ourselves inside a car travelling towards Scarborough. Up front, the conversation was rather philosophical (trying to fathom the nature of reality, and that sort of stuff), while those in the back were enjoying a quick bevvy. Outside though, the exhaust was beginning to fall off, and the temperature… Well, that was pretty chilly. Nevertheless, we managed to survive the conversation and, although the car began to emit sounds similar to those of a tank, the exhaust didn’t completely fall off. So, in the end we made it to Scarborough ready and eager to explore.
After taking in a bit of good old sea air, a quick look around and fucking about on a roof for a while we managed to find our way inside. The air was immediately incredibly stale and there was a bit too much asbestos for my liking, and if you’re not careful in the dark you can easily fall through the ceiling, but we carried on, and, suddenly, we were inside an almost working theatre. For once, I mused, I could sit wherever I fancied, without the Odeon Ticket Inspector watching to ensure that I sit in the inferior chair I’ve been allocated; not the more sophisticated seating that’s always towards the rear of the auditorium. In fact, by my recollection, all of the seats were exactly the same, which to me seems like a reasonably equal way of organising things. That aside, on the whole the Futurist is absolutely huge, and it takes a long time to get around the whole building – when we eventually decided to leave the sun was already beginning to rise over the seafront. But, since all of the electrics work, finding your way around the cinema becomes more or less straightforward once you begin to gather your bearings.
Explored with Ford Mayhem and Deems.
1: The projector
2: Cupboard in projector room
3: Other side of the projector
4: Smaller projector
5: Cream sherry
6: Standing in the upper gallery boxes
7: The main auditorium
8: Which seat is mine?
9: Light filter machine
10: Top boxes
11: Main corridor at the rear of the auditorium
12: Heading down the stairs
13: Just another row or two
14: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
15: The decorative ceiling
16: Ice cream stand
17: The chiller room
18: Schweppes soda water
19: Bar area and Wizard of Oz cardboard advertisement
20: The single mysterious chair
21: Managerial office
22: Backstage machinery
23: Backstage pass
24: Side view of main auditorium
25: Planes
26: Leaflets in the bar
27: View from the rear of the auditorium
28: The backroom
29: The Futurist Theatre and Cinema
The Futurist Cinema and Theatre, which can be found in Scarborough, was constructed and fully competed in 1921. Originally it functioned exclusively as a cinema, up until 1958 when its stage area was extended to provide live performances; Shirley Bassey, The Beatles and Ken Dodd were some of the notable acts. In later years, as the site expanded, it also absorbed the adjacent Arcadia Theatre and this was developed into a lounge area. By the 1980’s, Scarborough Borough Council assumed control of the venue and thereafter it was leased to Apollo Leisure Ltd. who ran it until 2002. In December 2002, Barrie C. Stead, the owner of Hollywood Plaza Cinema, bought the Futurist Theatre and refurbished it; installing new projectors, a CinemaScope screen and a DTS sound system. The Futurist, however, closed on 5th January 2014 because a report conducted by the local council suggested that the site was “beyond the point of refurbishmentâ€. The council is now marketing the entire site for redevelopment.
Inside, the Futurist Theatre has a large auditorium with a deep circle, and it is supported on twelve individual columns. In addition to these features, there is also a raised gallery which is divided into separate boxes. The ceiling is divided into two sections which are split by a wide arch: the front part is original with an elliptical dome containing three ornamental ventilation grilles, while the second, which dates from 1968, is much more basic. Finally, there is a deep wide stage with a full tower and counterweight sets.
In October 2014, the BBC reported that Flamingo Land placed a bid to purchase the Futurist Theatre. If successful, the developers intend to demolish the site to make way for a rollercoaster, botanical gardens and a magical cave-themed attraction. The proposed name for this new attraction is ‘Flamingo Land Coast’. Although campaigners have petitioned to save the 1920’s Futurist Theatre, no further decisions have been publically released.
Our Version of Events
It was 1am (ish) one random week day when we found ourselves inside a car travelling towards Scarborough. Up front, the conversation was rather philosophical (trying to fathom the nature of reality, and that sort of stuff), while those in the back were enjoying a quick bevvy. Outside though, the exhaust was beginning to fall off, and the temperature… Well, that was pretty chilly. Nevertheless, we managed to survive the conversation and, although the car began to emit sounds similar to those of a tank, the exhaust didn’t completely fall off. So, in the end we made it to Scarborough ready and eager to explore.
After taking in a bit of good old sea air, a quick look around and fucking about on a roof for a while we managed to find our way inside. The air was immediately incredibly stale and there was a bit too much asbestos for my liking, and if you’re not careful in the dark you can easily fall through the ceiling, but we carried on, and, suddenly, we were inside an almost working theatre. For once, I mused, I could sit wherever I fancied, without the Odeon Ticket Inspector watching to ensure that I sit in the inferior chair I’ve been allocated; not the more sophisticated seating that’s always towards the rear of the auditorium. In fact, by my recollection, all of the seats were exactly the same, which to me seems like a reasonably equal way of organising things. That aside, on the whole the Futurist is absolutely huge, and it takes a long time to get around the whole building – when we eventually decided to leave the sun was already beginning to rise over the seafront. But, since all of the electrics work, finding your way around the cinema becomes more or less straightforward once you begin to gather your bearings.
Explored with Ford Mayhem and Deems.
1: The projector
2: Cupboard in projector room
3: Other side of the projector
4: Smaller projector
5: Cream sherry
6: Standing in the upper gallery boxes
7: The main auditorium
8: Which seat is mine?
9: Light filter machine
10: Top boxes
11: Main corridor at the rear of the auditorium
12: Heading down the stairs
13: Just another row or two
14: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
15: The decorative ceiling
16: Ice cream stand
17: The chiller room
18: Schweppes soda water
19: Bar area and Wizard of Oz cardboard advertisement
20: The single mysterious chair
21: Managerial office
22: Backstage machinery
23: Backstage pass
24: Side view of main auditorium
25: Planes
26: Leaflets in the bar
27: View from the rear of the auditorium
28: The backroom
29: The Futurist Theatre and Cinema
