The Futurist Theatre in Scarborough was built in 1921 and was expanded and remodelled over the years until its closure in 2014.
Scarborough, UK Closed Built in 1921, the Futurist Theatre was a theatre and cinema in Scarborough, England. The large auditorium has a seating capacity of 2155 people – the twelfth largest in the UK.
Originally opening as a cinema, the stage was extended in 1958 to allow live performances at the venue. The Beatles performed twice in 1963-4 and many other large shows were staged there.
The local council took over the theatre in the 1980s and leased the premises to Apollo Leisure until 2002. The lease was then taken over by the same owners of the nearby Hollywood Plaza cinema, who fully refurbished the theatre, installed new projectors, sound system and screen.
By 2013 the theatre was struggling and the leaseholder pulled out. The council were unable to find another operator, forcing the Futurist to close in January 2014.
An excellent history of the theatre is available on the Scarborough UK website.
Beautiful, Brings back many memories of hundreds of shows seen there over the 45 years lived in Scarborough, We had a hotel so got freebies to all the shows, I used to go to all of them and make sure I made a thing of telling the Guests how good the shows were, which they were, Ken Dodd running so late it was so funny as the Buses had finished, Taxi offices had closed, and everywhere else was closed, one of his shows ran til past one am. I have seen so many fantastic shows there from Paddy McGuinnes and The Circus of Horrors more recently to all the panto’s, Ballets, Theatre productions, School events, James Martin, and the fantastic kids performances that held us in rapture year in year out, That the building is still so stunning inside is a crime to not be used. Such splendour and beauty is sledom found now,
I did 2 summer seasons there Marti Caine and then Tom oConnor the town will regret this , it’s a sad state of affairs
This theatre should never have been pulled down yet another. Council ruined a beautiful building which should have been preserved.