MANCHESTER – The Majestic Theatre has cut short its current production and canceled its Christmas show after the theater space it had been using without incident for 12 years failed a fire code inspection last month, a Majestic official said yesterday.

The former school building at 281 Cartier St. lacks a sprinkler system, crash bars on the exit doors and proper exit lighting, said Deputy Fire Chief James Burkush. Also, the stage curtain and draperies are not certified as fire retardant.

Burkush said the Majestic had never obtained an assembly permit from the Fire Department. He termed the violations serious.

"I have no problems ordering this shut down when you're talking about people's safety," Burkush said yesterday.

The Majestic canceled last weekend's performance of "Sound of Music" and will stage the musical this weekend at the parish hall of Sacred Heart Church. Also, the Majestic canceled its Christmas show, the musical "It's a Wonderful Life," said Karen Bessette, development director for the Majestic.

Bessette said the theater space was inspected about a year ago. But the latest inspection threw the Majestic for a loop.

"We're all for the safety of the Majestic," she said, adding the Majestic will take what steps it can afford. "The financial burden of this and the quickness of this is something that we didn't anticipate," she said.

Majestic's 290-seat home is inside a former school building owned by St. Marie Parish on the city's West Side.

Bessette said the building is brick, the Majestic has never had an incident in its 12 years at Cartier Street, and productions never entail flame or pyrotechnics.

She said the Majestic hopes to return to the theater space, but it will cost at least $4,000 to address issues with several doors. Exit lighting and curtains would not be costly, but a sprinkler system would run into the thousands.

Bessette said the Majestic will try to work with its landlord on the sprinkler system.

Burkush said the Fire Prevention Bureau first noticed the Majestic after an inspector recently saw an advertisement. Burkush said he's been in charge of the bureau for less than six months and can't comment on what happened before his tenure.

Burkush said a sprinkler is especially required because the theater is above grade. Eight steps lead from the theater to the exit doors, which slows evacuation in case of emergency.

He said the city has strictly enforced updated fire codes ever since the fatal Station nightclub fire in Warwick, R.I. Every restaurant or nightclub with a capacity that exceeds 100 needs a permit, he said.

"We've stayed a course. We're consistent citywide," he said.