Scarborough's much-loved The Futurist may no longer exist, but happy memories of shows, gigs and events remain.

Scarborough's much-loved The Futurist may no longer exist, but happy memories of shows, gigs and events remain.

Futurist Theatre: 37 photos of Scarborough’s lost seafront theatre over the decades, much-loved shows and its mourned demolition

By George Buksmann

Published 2nd Mar 2023, 09:00 GMT

One iconic building stood proudly on Scarborough South Bay’s seafront for almost a century, the much-loved Futurist Theatre.

Built as a cinema in 1921, the theatre site operated for 93 years until its closure in 2014; a controversial meeting in January 2017 decided the building’s fate and it was demolished by August the following year.

One of the largest-capacity theatres in the UK outside of London, it attracted some of music’s biggest stars, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Hollies at the height of their fame in the 1960s.

Take a look back at these classic photos of Scarborough’s former Futurist Theatre.

Scarborough's much-loved The Futurist may no longer exist, but happy memories of shows, gigs and events remain.

. Futurist Theatre.jpg

Scarborough's much-loved The Futurist may no longer exist, but happy memories of shows, gigs and events remain. Photo: Scarborough News

Redevelopment was proposed for the Futurist Theatre and and King Street council offices in 2010.

. Fantastic Futurist

Redevelopment was proposed for the Futurist Theatre and and King Street council offices in 2010. Photo: Andrew Higgins

Miss Scarborough contest finalists Sarah Gallagher, Jordan Mason, Abigail Halidu, Alice Czyz, Katie Hart and Elizabeth Hakings at the Futurist in 2010.

. Fantastic Futurist

Miss Scarborough contest finalists Sarah Gallagher, Jordan Mason, Abigail Halidu, Alice Czyz, Katie Hart and Elizabeth Hakings at the Futurist in 2010. Photo: Dave Barry

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 2010, when its future was still in doubt.

. Fantastic Futurist

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 2010, when its future was still in doubt. Photo: Andrew Higgins

The Hatton dancers gave two performances at the Miss Scarborough contest in 2010.

. Fantastic Futurist

The Hatton dancers gave two performances at the Miss Scarborough contest in 2010. Photo: Dave Barry

The theatre falls into further disrepair and neglect.

. Fantastic Futurist

The theatre falls into further disrepair and neglect. Photo: Richard Ponter

Futurist's summer season in 1996 with shows seven nights a week - The Grumbleweeds, Voulex Vouz, Showtoppers, Magic, Chuckle Brothers, Joe Longthorne.

. Fantastic Futurist

Futurist's summer season in 1996 with shows seven nights a week - The Grumbleweeds, Voulex Vouz, Showtoppers, Magic, Chuckle Brothers, Joe Longthorne. Photo: Scarborough News Archives

Argentinian dancers Valeria Alvarez and Sebastian Acosta, from the show Tango Passion, visited the Futurist in 2010.

. Fantastic Futurist

Argentinian dancers Valeria Alvarez and Sebastian Acosta, from the show Tango Passion, visited the Futurist in 2010. Photo: Andrew Higgins

The Futurist with a redevelopment board in July 2002.

. Fantastic Futurist

The Futurist with a redevelopment board in July 2002. Photo: Andrew Higgins

An audience of more than 2,000 enjoyed the St Augustine's School Summer Concert in 2010.

. Fantastic Futurist

An audience of more than 2,000 enjoyed the St Augustine's School Summer Concert in 2010. Photo: Kevin Allen

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 1969.

. Fantastic Futurist

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 1969. Photo: Scarborough News Archives

Paul and Barry, best known as the Chuckle Brothers, onstage for their show at The Futurist in 2009.

. Fantastic Futurist

Paul and Barry, best known as the Chuckle Brothers, onstage for their show at The Futurist in 2009. Photo: Andrew Higgins

Futurist Theatre pictured with its original tile facade in the late 1950s.

. Fantastic Futurist

Futurist Theatre pictured with its original tile facade in the late 1950s. Photo: Scarborough News Archives

Brenda and Barrie Stead, owners of The Futurist theatre in 2008.

. Fantastic Futurist

Brenda and Barrie Stead, owners of The Futurist theatre in 2008. Photo: Andrew Higgins

Foreshore Road, with The Futurist on the left, pictured in 1935.

. Fantastic Futurist

Foreshore Road, with The Futurist on the left, pictured in 1935. Photo: Alfred Hind Robinson/A H Robinson/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

A busy crowd awaits the show at The Futurist in 2009.

. Fantastic Futurist

A busy crowd awaits the show at The Futurist in 2009. Photo: Richard Ponter

The Futurist theatre cinema, date unknown.

. Fantastic Futurist

The Futurist theatre cinema, date unknown. Photo: Scarborough News Archives

Redevelopment was proposed for the Futurist Theatre and and King Street council offices in 2010.

1. Fantastic Futurist

Redevelopment was proposed for the Futurist Theatre and and King Street council offices in 2010. Photo: Andrew Higgins

Miss Scarborough contest finalists Sarah Gallagher, Jordan Mason, Abigail Halidu, Alice Czyz, Katie Hart and Elizabeth Hakings at the Futurist in 2010.

2. Fantastic Futurist

Miss Scarborough contest finalists Sarah Gallagher, Jordan Mason, Abigail Halidu, Alice Czyz, Katie Hart and Elizabeth Hakings at the Futurist in 2010. Photo: Dave Barry

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 2010, when its future was still in doubt.

3. Fantastic Futurist

The Futurist Theatre, pictured in 2010, when its future was still in doubt. Photo: Andrew Higgins

The Hatton dancers gave two performances at the Miss Scarborough contest in 2010.

4. Fantastic Futurist

The Hatton dancers gave two performances at the Miss Scarborough contest in 2010. Photo: Dave Barry

Scarborough The Hollies London