Majestic Theatre

Built in 1927, Majestic Theatre is located in Chinatown, between People’s Park Complex and Yue Hwa Department Store, on Eu Tong Sen Street.¹ It was a Cantonese opera house built by Eu Tong Sen, a tin mining and rubber magnate.² There are multiple stories as to why he built the opera house: for his wife or his mother who were both Cantonese opera fans, or because he owed a favour to an opera actor and hence built this opera house for the opera troupe.³

Description
Designed by Swan & Maclaren, the Majestic Theatre building was completed in 1928 and was officially opened in August 1929.⁴ The building is a mix of Western and Chinese architectural styles.⁵ Its façade is decorated with tiled scenes from Cantonese opera and shiny and colourful mosaics that show flying dragons with heads and tails connected.⁶ Its interior is a cavernous hallway with a domed ceiling.⁷ The three-storey theatre was built to accommodate a seating capacity of 1,194 seats, and by the 1960s air conditioning was installed.⁸

Origins
The Majestic Theatre was originally known as the Tien Yien Moh Toi Theatre (天演舞台) and was a venue for Cantonese opera and occasionally Teochew ones.⁹ More well-known Cantonese theatre works performed in the theatre pre–World War II includes sailong duojin (赛龙夺锦; “race of the dragon to get the brocade”), which describes the dragon boat races during dragon boat festival.¹⁰ The Shaw Brothers rented the place in 1936, renamed it the Queen’s Theatre (皇宫戏院), and screened the latest Cantonese blockbuster films there.¹¹

Japanese Occupation
When the Japanese took control of the theatre during the Occupation, it was renamed Tai Hwa Opera House, or Yamato Gekijo (大禾剧院).¹² The theatre screened Japanese propaganda films, and in celebration of the Japanese Emperor’s birthday in 1942, it screened a Chinese language film on Japanese material culture.¹³

Postwar history
The Japanese Occupation ended in 1945, and the Shaw Brothers’ lease on the theatre ended in September the same year.¹⁴ Majestic Film Company under its managing director He Qi Rong (何启荣) became the new tenant and renamed the place Majestic Theatre (大华戏院).¹⁵

During the 1950s and ’60s, the theatre attracted not only movie goers, but also film stars from Hong Kong, such as Lin Dai and Ge Lan, who performed songs for their fans.¹⁶ In 1954, the late Dato Loke Wan Tho of Cathay Organisation with two partners, Wong Siew Leng and Teo Cheng Hay, bought the theatre for S$1.01 million from the Eu family.¹⁷

In 1980, a fire broke out at the theatre backstage, which then required major servicing.¹⁸ In 1983, Cathay Organisation became the sole owner after it bought out the partnership.¹⁹ The Majestic Theatre building was gazetted for conservation in 1989.²⁰ The theatre continued screening Chinese films until 1998 when it was closed. One of the last films screened there was the Cantonese version of 南海十三郎 (The Mad Phoenix).²¹

Renovation
The theatre underwent an S$8 million renovation for one and a half years, from 2001 to 2003.²² On 17 January 2003, the Majestic Theatre was re-opened as a shopping mall and renamed The Majestic.²³ By the end of 2007, the shopping centre was put on sale again by Cathay Realty for S$43 million.²⁴ A potential buyer, an unknown company from Hong Kong, had plans of transforming the Majestic into a hotel, but the plan did not materialise.²⁵

When the Eu family decided not to buy back the building from Cathay, the Singapore Turf Club took up the lease for the building and turned it a betting centre. This move sparked unhappiness among the public who saw the gazetted building as a heritage space and believed that its heritage value should be preserved.²⁶

The Majestic Theatre building continues to be used as a betting centre today. In 2022, a learning centre in the building launched by RSVP Singapore, Singapore Turf Club and CapitaLand Hope Foundation was officially opened by then President Halimah Yacob. The centre conducts digital literacy classes for seniors.²⁷



Authors
Heirwin Md Nasir and Gladys Low



Further Readings
Archives and Oral History Department, Chinatown: An Album of a Singapore Community (Singapore: Times Books International, 1983), 140–42. (Call no. RSING 779.995957 CHI)

Kwon Bun Chan and Tong Chee Kiong, Past Times: A Social History of Singapore (Singapore: Times Editions, 2003), 156–61. (Call no. RISNG 959.57 PAS-[HIS])

Edwards, Norman and Peter Keys, Singapore: A Guide to Buildings, Streets, Places. (Singapore: Times Books International, 1996), 503. (Call no. RCLOS 915.957 EDW)

National Archives Singapore, Wayang: A History of Chinese Opera in Singapore (Singapore: National Archives, 1988), 29–30. (Call no. RSING 792.095957 WAY)

Victor R. Savage, Toponymics (Singapore: Eastern Universities Press, 2003), 122–23. (Call no. RSING 915.9570014 SAV -[TRA])

Singapore Chronicles: A Special Commemorative History of Singapore (Hong Kong: Illustrated Magazine, 1995), 111. (Call no. RSING 959.57 SIN) 

Song, Ong Siang. One Hundred Years’ History of the Chinese in Singapore (Singapore: Oxford University Press, 1984), 332–33. (Call no. RSING 959.57 SON -[HIS])

Annette Tan, Savour Chinatown: Stories, Memories & Recipes (Singapore: Ate Ideas Pte Ltd, 2012), 104–7.

Tan Ooh Chye and Chew Chon Yan, eds., The Development of Cantonese Opera in Singapore (Singapore: The Chinese Opera Institute, 2013), 2–26. (Call no. RSING 782.1095957 DEV)

Sumiko Tan, Streets of Old Chinatown (Singapore: Page Media, 1990), 62. (Call no. RSING 915.957 TAN)



References
1. “The Southern Hotel,” Straits Echo, 12 February 1927, 126 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 1551); Joyce Teo, “For Sale: The Majestic Asking Price: $43m,” Straits Times, 2 August 2007, 44. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 27776)
2. “Social & Personal,” Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle,10 November 1928, 4. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 3829)
3. Hu Yingying, “Chinese Opera Up, Down and Up Again,” Straits Times, 11 April 1983, 1 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL13993); “余东旋买戏台两种说法,” 新明日报Xin Ming Ri Bao, 3 November 2002, 14. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 24895)
4. “Eu Tong Sen Theatre,” Straits Times,19 August 1929, 12 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 626); 私買賊贓案判以罰款二十五元,” 南洋商报 Nanyang Siang Pau,17 January 1928, 3 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 4734); “The Southern Hotel.”
5. Tay Suan Chiang, “Theatre Majestic No More,”Straits Times, 19 November 2011, 16. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 31714)
6. Felicia Chan, “Where Mum and Dad Used to Hang Out,” Straits Times, 15 March 2016, 18–19 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 33815); “New Chinese Theatre,” Straits Times, 5 February 1926, 9. (From NewspaperSG) (Microflim NL 539)
7. Lim, “Majestic Past”; Simon Wilcox, “Majestic Theatre Stages Comeback as Retail Mall,”Straits Times: Weekly Overseas Edition, 15 February 2003, 18. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 25629)
8. Chia Yee Kwan, oral history interview by Moey Kok Keong, 26 June 2000–31 August 2000, transcript and MP3 audio, 30:29, National Archives Singapore (accession no.: 002381), 153; Krist Boo, “Majestic Again…” Straits Times, 3 July 2002, 1 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 24502); Wong Chew Meng, oral history interview by Yeo Loo Feng, 12–15 July 2000, transcript and MP3 audio, 30:31, National Archives Singapore (accession no.: 002395), 106.
9. “白玉堂劇團 昨晚在天演舞台公演,”星洲日报 Sin Chew Jit Poh, 17 August 1934, 8 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 11531); “天演舞台開演潮劇,”星洲日报 Sin Chew Jit Poh, 11 March 1930, 7. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 11484)
10. “白玉堂劇團 昨晚在天演舞台公演.”
11. “邵氏兄弟公司經營皇宮戲院訂期開幕首晚收入報効廣惠肇留醫院經費,”  南洋商报 Nanyang Siang Pau, 21 April 1936, 5. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 4836)
12. “Chinese To Launch Drive For Home For Aged Funds,” Shonan Times (Syonan Shimbun), 15 March 1943, 2. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 256)
13. “Official Programme for Tentyo-Setu,” Shonan Times (Syonan Shimbun), 28 April 1942, 4. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 255)
14. Lim Kay Tong, Cathay: 55 years of Cinema (Singapore: Landmark Books for Meileen Choo, 1991), 30 (Call Number: RCLOS 791.43095957 LIM); Wang Zhen Chun, 石叻战前老戏院 (Singapore: 新加坡青年书局, 2011), 76. (Call no. 791.43095957 WZC)
15. Jessica Lim, “Majestic Past,” Straits Times, 28 August 2007, 139 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 27783); Malaya Tribune, “Page 4/1 Advertisements Column 2,” 9 November 1945, 4/1. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 2137)
16. “葛蘭五月一日返星五月三日在大華義唱獻捐與廣惠肇醫院續在大華登台,”  南洋商报 Nanyang Siang Pau, 28 April 1957, 7 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 2725); Ong Sor Fern, “Free Movies,” Straits Times, 22 May 2003, 18. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 25064).
17. Lim, Cathay, 30–31; “Cinema Goes Under The Hammer For $1,010,000,” Singapore Standard, 20 August 1954, 3 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 9001); “Big Property Auction on Tuesday,” Straits Budget, 30 September 1954, 17. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 2229).
18.  “大华戏院停映半月后台遭火烧毁需要大修,” 南洋商报 Nanyang Siang Pau, 18 October 1980, 5. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 10763)
19. Lim, Cathay, 31; Lim, “Majestic Past.”
20. Ang Hwee Suan, “Business Prospects of Heritage Buildings a Priority,” Straits Times, 20 July 2002, 29. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 24506)
21. “大华上映粤语版 《南海十三郎》,” 新明日报 Xin Ming Ri Bao, 9 April 1998, 16 (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 21185); Yao Zhong Zai, “大华台板,” 联合早报Lianhe Zaobao, 22 May 1998, 53. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 21180)
22. Loh Hsiao Ying, “Majestic Theatre’s Back,” Straits Times, 18 January 2003, L2. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 24920)
23. Loh Hsiao Ying, “Majestic Theatre’s Back.”
24. Joyce Teo, “For Sale: The Majestic Asking Price: $43m.”
25. Wu Han Jun, “前大华戏院将变酒店?” 联合早报 Lianhe Zaobao, 13 January 2008, 6. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 28811)
26. K.C. Vijayan, “Architects Sued Over Delayed Majestic Renovation,” Straits Times, 27 October 2011, 3. (From NewspaperSG) (Microfilm NL 31686)
27. Kolette Lim, “Learning Centre at The Majestic to Help Seniors Avoid Scam Menace, Apply Technology in their Daily Lives,” Straits Times, 18 February 2022.



The information in this article is valid as of July 2024 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history on the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.