THE CAPITOL THEATRE

"The best cinema that was ever built or is ever likely to be built"
Architectural writer Robin Boyd, referring to the Capitol Theatre in The Australian, 24th December 1965.

The Cinema And Theatre Historical Society presents this special feature looking at the history of the Capitol Theatre. Enjoy the historic photographs presented below.
[For further photos go to Capitol Part 2]
Click on each photo for a larger version and some more information.




1  View from the stalls of proscenium.
2  The original ticket box and entrance lobby on Swanston Street.
3  The spectacular ceiling gives a magical, crystal-like effect.



4  The luxurious circle lounge foyer featured an Elizabethan Grand piano. On right is view of circle foyer mezzanine balcony.
5  The Capitol Theatre building facade on Swanston Street.
6  Circle foyer mezzanine lounge.



7  Back stalls with view through a well of the foyer ceiling above.
8  Ground floor lobby. Doors on left enter to stalls, stairs up to the circle foyer.
9  Circle foyer and well.



10  The restored entrance veranda.
11  View from entrance lobby towards Swanston Street.
12  View of entrance lobby where the original ticket box was. In centre background is existing staircase leading to the Capitol Theatre foyer.
14  Shield presented to Capitol staff, November 1950.

• For further photos go to Capitol Part 2

13  Detail of the restored ceiling above the entrance lobby. For many years the original ceiling was covered.

The Capitol was designed by Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, and was opened on 7th November 1924. The theatre and 10 storey office block above it, are registered with the Australian Heritage Commission, the National Trust and Heritage Victoria.

The two-level auditorium was converted to a single-level cinema in 1965. The present arcade is where the stalls seating used to be. The old staircases leading to the dress circle foyer were blocked off and a new staircase built to a simplified foyer upstairs.

RMIT University purchased The Capitol Theatre in 1999 for use as a lecture theatre and conferences facility. 

Credits
• Special thanks to CATHS member Ian Williams for the historic photographs of the Capitol Theatre [From the Ian Williams Collection]. Ian closed the theatre in 1964 when Hoyts finished their lease of the Capitol and returned as House Manager to re-open it - after the major alteration to the Theatre - in 1965 (under independent management) for the The Great Race.
• Thanks also to Lorraine Wood for the Capitol staff photograph, November 1950. Lorraine was an usherette at the Capitol.
• Colour photographs of the Capitol entrance, taken 6th November 1998 by Martin Powell.

• Updated 2010. Compiled by Martin Powell


Cinema And Theatre Historical Society Inc. Australia
www.caths.org.au

• For further photos go to Capitol Part 2