Arabian Theatre

Laurel, MS

408 N. Fifth Avenue

, Laurel, MS 39440 United States

(map)

601.428.8201

Status:	Open
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Egyptian, Moorish

Function:	Live Theater, Special Events
Seats:	255
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Emile Weil
Firm:	Unknown

The Arabian Theatre opened on April 1, 1927, built for the Saenger chain it had a seating capacity of 1,200. It was located next to the Pinehurst Hotel, which has since been demolished. After closing as a movie house in 1976, the Arabian Theatre was acquired in 1977 by the Laurel Little Theatre company, which dates to 1961.

As the Arabian Theatre was built for movies only, the theater group had to built a stage and dressing room areas as well as a new proscenium arch. Also, half the seats on the orchestra level were removed. The color scheme of the theater was also restored to its original appearance.

In addition to live theatrical productions from the Laurel Little Theatre, the Arabian Theatre has played host to concerts, beauty pageants, and various community events.

Related Websites

Laurel Little Theatre (Official)

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

YOUR COMMENTS

A 1970s view of the exterior of the Arabian Theatre and adjacent (now demolished) Pinehurst Hotel can be seen here.

posted by Bryan Krefft on Nov 25, 2007 at 11:27am

a couple updates on this theatre.....most of what was originally written here about the Arabian seems to come from a city website that contained these errors.......hope that it can be changed to get the info all corrected......

**it's actually still called the Arabian, but our community theatre group Laurel Little Theatre now owns and operates it for live performances.....probably would be best to retitle this venue and list it under "Arabian"

**architect was Emile Weil who did most all of the Saenger Brothers properties along the Gulf Coast

**original seating was total of 900 (not 630) but many seats removed to build a full stage and now seats 255

**the actual opening of the Arabian was April 1, 1927........(not 1929)

**the text posted says the theatre sat vacant since the 60s, but it was actually operated as a movie house up until 1976......it was vacant just a year when we bought it and renovated as our own Laurel Little Theatre opening in 1977

**there is no screen in the house at this time, our group does 4-5 live stage shows each year and then the place is also used for other performances, meetings, concerts by various other groups

**style of the house is Moroccan and Egyptian

**firm...was originally part of the Saenger Bros

**i have many other photos of the Arabian on our group's website...LaurelLittleTheatre.com

West Hughes, LLT Historian

posted by West Hughes on Jun 11, 2008 at 10:05pm

Here is a photo from 2001.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 16, 2008 at 9:49am

A.L. Royal ran this theater as well as several others in Mississippi, most of them named Royal, as part of his eponymous circuit in the early 1960s.

posted by ken mc on Dec 18, 2008 at 5:40pm

1982 photo of the Arabian Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c24%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=29033

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 15, 2009 at 9:29pm

Here is a July 1965 ad from the Laurel Leader-Call:
http://tinyurl.com/ylnphpu

posted by ken mc on Jan 18, 2010 at 12:11am

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