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The Capitol Theatre

3 The spectacular ceiling and walls of the Capitol cinema with thousands of
concealed coloured light bulbs, give a crystal-like effect.

"The magnificent roof span of the theatre gave the designer full range for a fanciful effect, and audiences find their attention captured by the unique design of the walls and the ceiling. Since there is a complete absence of pillars, the designer applied his imagination to the novel decorations on the walls and ceiling, and not a square inch has been allowed to escape.

The side walls are buttressed by arrays of square cut supports, and above these, the walls break into the ceiling in cubes, triangles and stalactites of fretted plaster. Everywhere the straight line prevails. The curves and mouldings of conventional design are entirely absent. The ceiling itself, over the central stalls, breaks up to a great height in serrated lines of fretted plaster, all broken into little cubicles through which thousands of unseen globes pour artificial light in a myriad of varied hues. The light effects are changeable at a touch, and a skilled operator is able to play them like a colour symphony."
Extract from the Capitol Theatre 10th Anniversary publication, 1934.
• Photograph from the Ian Williams Collection.

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