Majestic Theatre Taihape - Digital Cinema Upgrade

Our Mission:

To upgrade our historic cinema to digital technology.

With our current projection system, our choice of films is very limited - meaning we are largely only able to offer art-house films. These are great, but only appeal to a small pocket of the community.

By upgrading to digital we will be able to offer something for everyone with blockbuster and new release films, as well as a continued selection of art house and opera titles for all ages.

History of the theatre:

The Majestic Theatre was built in 1917 after the first theatre burnt down.

It was registered under the Historic Places Act in 1993.

It has had a turbulent history over the years with periods of closure and even threats of demolition.

In 2000 the Majestic Rescue Group of Taihape rallied the wider community and submitted a petition objecting to the demolition of the theatre. The measure of public esteem and support for the continued survival of the theatre was immense and a significant amount of money was raised within the community to upgrade the out-dated, two-storey (freezing cold) cinema into a beautiful, cosy, warm 138 seat theatre.

These days, the theatre is run by a dedicated committee, which meet monthly to decide on how we run and look after our special theatre.

The community has really fought over the years to retain and maintain our truly majestic theatre.

Upgrading to digital technology is the final piece of this ongoing project that will ensure the survival of this iconic rural New Zealand theatre.

Budget:

We have had a quote from a cinema technical specialist for $67,445.

This covers delivery and installation of the new projection equipment.

To date we have had generous support from Powerco, Pub Charities, NZ Lotteries Commission, Dudding Trust, and Wanganui Community Foundation, so we are now looking for $40,000 to make up the difference.

In addition to this online campaign we are also running an initiative in the community selling first aid kits, and we run events and private functions in the cinema to raise money as well.

Any support you can give is truly appreciated.

Keep in touch with our progress via our website:

www.majestictaihape.co.nz

and facebook page: www.facebook.com/majestictaihape

or join our mailing list at majestictaihape@gmail.com

Thanks again for your support.