HIS MAJESTY'S
Johannesburg
Johannesburg
His Majesty's Theatre was situated in Commissioner Street (between Eloff and Joubert
Streets) and was opened by General Jan Smuts (then Prime Minister of the Union Of South
Africa) on 23rd December 1946 as a legitimate theatre presenting live stage productions.
The theatre was designed by Morris Cowen at the behest of Mr. I. W. Schlesinger, head of
the Schlesinger Organisation
Streets) and was opened by General Jan Smuts (then Prime Minister of the Union Of South
Africa) on 23rd December 1946 as a legitimate theatre presenting live stage productions.
The theatre was designed by Morris Cowen at the behest of Mr. I. W. Schlesinger, head of
the Schlesinger Organisation
His Majesty’s was converted into an exclusive 'roadshow' cinema with the release of Mike
Todd's 'Around The World In 80 Days' in 1956. For this presentation 70mm projectors, together
with six-track magnetic stereo sound equipment, were installed . This theatre continued to
show such blockbusters as Cecil B. De Mille's 'The Ten Commandments', 'Lawrence of
Arabia', 'Cleopatra' and 'My Fair Lady', to mention but a few, all presented in 70mm.
Todd's 'Around The World In 80 Days' in 1956. For this presentation 70mm projectors, together
with six-track magnetic stereo sound equipment, were installed . This theatre continued to
show such blockbusters as Cecil B. De Mille's 'The Ten Commandments', 'Lawrence of
Arabia', 'Cleopatra' and 'My Fair Lady', to mention but a few, all presented in 70mm.
The auditorium had luxurious seats covered in wine-coloured velvet. The stage contained a large
screen especially suited to the presentation of 70mm films. The auditorium walls were equipped
with separate ‘special effects’ speakers - strategically placed to enhance the stereo sound. The
seating capacity was 1250 divided into both a stalls and circle section.
screen especially suited to the presentation of 70mm films. The auditorium walls were equipped
with separate ‘special effects’ speakers - strategically placed to enhance the stereo sound. The
seating capacity was 1250 divided into both a stalls and circle section.
Photo above was taken in 1956 and shows part of the audience that attended a premiere in the the main
foyer of His Majesty's. During the 1960s the cinema was managed by Mr. Bromilow and the chief
projectionist was the very professional Mr. ‘Natie’ Ratzer. Well-remembered is Mrs. Mackeson (mother of
radio personality Victor Mackeson) who was one of His Majesty’s charming box office cashiers. In 1978
the theatre ceased operations as a cinema and reverted back to live stage show presentations under the
management of well-known impresarios Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke. Sadly, due to financial
constraints, His Majesty’s was finally closed in 1981 with the couple’s glorious production of 'Hello Dolly!'
foyer of His Majesty's. During the 1960s the cinema was managed by Mr. Bromilow and the chief
projectionist was the very professional Mr. ‘Natie’ Ratzer. Well-remembered is Mrs. Mackeson (mother of
radio personality Victor Mackeson) who was one of His Majesty’s charming box office cashiers. In 1978
the theatre ceased operations as a cinema and reverted back to live stage show presentations under the
management of well-known impresarios Joan Brickhill and Louis Burke. Sadly, due to financial
constraints, His Majesty’s was finally closed in 1981 with the couple’s glorious production of 'Hello Dolly!'
CINEMA
SOUVENIRS
SOUVENIRS
Sporting beautifully ornate downstairs and upstairs foyers complete with white marble floors, His
Majesty’s also had a very celebrated restaurant in its basement known as His Majesty’s Cellars.
Majesty’s also had a very celebrated restaurant in its basement known as His Majesty’s Cellars.
