The Capitol Ceiling Reborn?

The extravagant rainbow of changing colours in the ceiling of the original Capitol Theatre was created by six rows of dimmers operated by the house electrician from the stage.

The building at that time was on direct current. One of the changes made before the 1965 re-opening was to rewire the building.

This meant a simplification of the visual impact - the ceiling in all one colour changing to the next colour.

Restoration of the original lighting sequence with a computer controlled optic fibre system has been costed at $200,000. Instead of burning up to 100,000 watts of electricity, this will be reduced to about 10,000 watts.

Along with this saving in energy, fibre optic lamps have triple the life of incandescent globes.

A refurbishment of the circle foyer is also planned. This area has found a new use as a function venue and meeting space in association with movie premieres.

The original house curtain is also being restored. As RMIT University cannot use education funds for these purposes, it is hoped that the revenue from corporate hiring of the theatre and foyers will expedite the work.

Ian Williams.

Capitol Theatre Organ on CD.

The final Wurlitzer Organ concert at the Capitol Theatre Melbourne has been released on Compact Disc.

The concert was recorded 17 November 1963 and features an introduction, followed by 16 tracks played by The Capitol's master organist Horace Weber.

The CD costs $30 a copy. Five dollars from each sale will go towards the ongoing refurbishment of the theatre.

To order a copy, contact Mr. Craig Cahill, Manager of the Capitol Theatre, on 9650-4017.

Cameron Hall.

The Memorial Hall St. Kilda.

The Soldiers and Sailors Club at 88 Acland Street St. Kilda has been a local land-mark since 1924.

Tucked away at the back of the building is the almost forgotten 'no frills' Memorial Hall, locked and empty for decades.

Opened as an all-purpose venue, film shows began in 1927 as the Memorial Theatre. Equipped for talkies in 1931 by the new lessees Palais Pictures Pty Ltd. and Victory Picture Theatre Pty Ltd. it operated as a cinema until the arrival of television.

In the fifties the theatre advertised in the Hoyts column. The major films were allocated to the Victory (now the National) with 2400 seats and the Palais Pictures, 2900 seats. The Memorial at 750 seats screened a double 'B' grade program each week, existing on a steady diet of minor westerns and thrillers.

Despite the basic amenities, former St Kilda residents such as John Michael Howson have fond memories of the 'Memo'.

A meeting under the auspices of Port Phillip City Council in late 2002 resulted in support for a feasibility study to promote the building as a multi-purpose Arts Centre. Cosmopolitan St. Kilda seems an ideal location for this purpose.

Time has not been kind to the 'Memo' and much needs to be done. Natural daylight is provided by high set windows and temporary lighting has been installed.

The ground floor has been cleaned and a display of council art treasures has been installed for a short season open to the public. The floor area is in use as a meeting space. The small stage and balcony are still there and reopening of the original lobby and ceiling repairs are included in the restoration plans.

CATHS-V congratulates the trustees on their initiative to reopen this historic hall.

Brian Miller
(See also The Memorial St Kilda by Peter Fogarty, CinemaRecord No. 5 October 1994.)

Forum Fears.

The National Trust of Victoria is concerned about the neglected appearance of the Forum Theatre in Flinders Street. The glittering, albeit it controversial, Federation Square has heightened fears that the Forum has become an entertainment outcast.

Marriner Theatre's General Manager, Mr. Jason Marriner acknowledges the problem. He contrasts the Victorian Government's $500million contribution towards Federation Square with its detachment from and apparent indifference towards Melbourne's historic theatres.

Marriner Theatres has invested significant capital into the Forum. Mr. Marriner concedes that the likelihood of this continuing remains clouded while the Forum struggles in the contemporary entertainment marketplace.

The theatre has found a measure of support from the youth market interested in stand-up comedy, fringe theatre and Bollywood. But the sorrowful mien of the building, not helped by the narrow footpath which contributes to the battering of the verandah by high vehicles, probably reflects the real situation.

Cameron Hall.

Two Big Birthdays.

The Comedy Theatre Exhibition Street Melbourne and the Theatre Royal Camperdown both turn 75 this month. The Theatre Royal opened on 11 April 1928 and has been integral to the cultural scene ever since.

Celebrations included a re-showing of The Volga Boatman, the Cecil B. DeMille adventure that opened the theatre fresh from its season at The Capitol Melbourne.

The Comedy opened 28 April 1928 with by W. Somerset Maugham. For years the favourite playhouse of discerning audiences, the Comedy has been dark in recent times.

Now one of the Marriner Theatres, the Comedy will come to life again in June with a revival of Michael Frayn's Noises Off.

Fred Page