Stag Community Arts Centre

The Majestic Cinema opened in 1937, and in 1985 the Sevenoaks Theatre Action Group (STAG) persuaded the District Council to support their efforts by purchasing this building for conversion to a theatre.

The façade remain largely that of the 1937 cinema, neo-Georgian in brick, and inside the auditorium has echoes of Art Deco decoration.

A significant amount of work was undertaken transforming the main auditorium to a single rake, with the building of new stage (with potential to add a fly tower); the removal of one cinema from the circle and the refurbishment of the cinema beneath the circle. Further works were undertaken in 1991/92 when, in addition to a new hall, extensions were introduced which allowed an increase in capacity and an orchestra pit (for up to 50 musicians).

The theatre's existence is a tribute to the way in which local people worked to save and develop the building. However, by 2001 the sixty year old structure was said to be in need of substantial maintenance, and a working party was established to develop policy which, among other issues, could look to the creation of a new Stag elsewhere in the Borough. The theatre prevailed, and became the Sevenoaks Playhouse.

In September 2007 Kino Holdings Ltd took a 25 year lease to run the theatre but the company had to pull out in July 2008 owing to financial difficulties. In October 2008 Sevenoaks Town Council took over the lease of the theatre, and it reopened in January 2009. Renamed the Stag Community Arts Centre, it provides an array of activities and entertainments for the Sevenoaks community, serving as theatre, cinema, community centre and more.