Step Back in Time: North Lincolnshire's Cinematic Magic and Travolta Moves

The North Lincolnshire Museum in Scunthorpe is hosting a new exhibition called 'Picture House Past: Cinemas of North Lincolnshire', which celebrates the history of cinemas in the region. The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 22, and will run until May 3, 2026. It is free to visit and aims to take people back in time to the 'golden age of cinema', showing how movie theaters brought communities together for more than a century. The exhibition features photographs, artifacts, and personal stories from several towns, including Ashby, Barton, Brigg, Crowle, Epworth, and Scunthorpe.

One of the main highlights is the story of the Majestic Cinema in Scunthorpe. Visitors can see old black-and-white photos of the cinema being built, as well as images from when it was about to be demolished. The exhibition also includes a mosaic from the Majestic Cinema, which was damaged during demolition but restored by the University of Lincoln. This mosaic is now on display, showing the effort to preserve local history. The exhibition covers all the buildings in North Lincolnshire that were built specifically to be cinemas, and it explores how these places were once the heart of entertainment in their communities.

Personal memories play a big role in the exhibition. Anthony Mitchell, a local drummer, recalls watching the original Star Wars film at the Majestic Cinema with his father, describing the experience as 'out of this world'. Shawn Cooper, a former employee, remembers how the cinema's owner, Gerald Parkes, gave young people opportunities and wanted the cinema experience to be special. Shawn talks about people queuing around the block for movies, ice cream being served during long films, and music playing as people found their seats. He also shares a funny story about dancing through the aisle like John Travolta during a Grease anniversary, which made the audience laugh and earned him the nickname 'Travolta'. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 16:00, and Sundays from 13:00 to 16:00, inviting everyone to discover the magic of the silver screen and the history of local cinemas.