The Capitol Theatre

One of the last two ‘atmospheric’ theatres in the country, demolished in the name of progress.

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The Capitol Theatre.

The Capitol Theatre

This is an early postcard photo of the Capitol Theatre with the original marquee over the front doors. ...
The Capitol Theatre - Lining up to see the show.

Lining up to see the show

The building was 75 ft. wide and 198 feet long. The walls were solid brick: the auditorium being eighteen ...
The Capitol Theatre, Looking east, Second Street with the Cornwallis Hotel (right) and Capitol Theatre (left)

Looking east, Second Street with the Cornwallis Hotel

Second Street had trolly lines going done the centre. The tower of the post office can be seen on the left. ...
The Capitol Theatre, Looking west on Second Street

Looking west on Second Street

The modern marquee (1930s) on the Capitol Theatre is visible on the right. When the theatre was torn ...
The Capitol Theatre, New hanging sign

New hanging sign

A new sign has been added to the marquee of the Capitol Theatre (Left). This sign was used to advertise ...
Door Handles of Capitol Theatre

Door Handles of the Capitol Theatre

Incredibly the Capitol Theatre was torn down. Officials claimed the building was water-damaged and ...
The Doors and Box Office were made of Quarter-Sawn Oak.

The Doors and Box Office were made of Quarter-Sawn Oak.

Ticket prices have gone up. At one time admission was 10¢ for children and later 25¢ adults. Notice the ...
Where is the box office today?

Where is the box office today?

Don’t go in that door on the left - it’s the “out” door. After you have your ticket continue right ...
A formal ticket booth with curtains.

A formal ticket booth with curtains.

Now you’re ready to enter the theatre. In the next photo, you can take a peek into the window of the ...
Inside the ticket booth was the ticket machine.

Inside the ticket booth was the ticket machine.

Customers were so intent on getting into the theatre they rarely paused to look into the interior ...
Ticket please!

Ticket please!

Now that we are inside the door - hand your ticket to the ticket taker. He will drop it in this ticket ...
The lobby.

The lobby.

The walls of the lobby are grey and have ivory-coloured plaster pictures, in a Greek theme, in bas relief. ...
Bas Relief Picture.

Bas Relief Picture.

The walls of the lobby are grey and have ivory-coloured plaster pictures, in a Greek theme, in bas relief. ...
The ceiling with chandeliers.

The ceiling with chandeliers.

Wow! Look at the ceiling in this lobby. It’s beautiful! There is a chandelier in the centre and smaller ...
An unusual view.

An unusual view.

If you laid on the floor - this is what the ceiling would look like. Don’t do it though - the doorman ...
Dancing nymphs.

Dancing nymphs.

Another chandelier with more dancing nymphs. ...
Washrooms.

Washrooms.

The Ladies' room is on the east side of the lobby, as you go in, the Men’s room is opposite, on the west ...
Stairs leading up to the theatre.

Stairs leading up to the theatre.

Leaving the lobby you go up the stairs which has a brass rail in the middle. The stage curtain is ...
The left exit doors.

The left exit doors.

This is the front west (left) side. With the Exit door. The first stage curtains were blue in colour, in later ...
A longer view of the left side of the theatre.

A longer view of the left side of the theatre.

For this long shot, the camera is up in the Box Seat area, upstairs. Notice the brass railing in front of the ...
The pediment over the top of the stage.

The pediment over the top of the stage.

“TC” The Capitol. The name of the theatre is displayed on a faux raised cushion inside the pediment. ...
The right exit shows the faux balcony above.

The right exit shows the faux balcony above.

Outside the east and west sides of the theatre were long wooden ramps. They were meant as fire exits ...
Wall Decorations on Both Sides of the Theatre.

Wall decorations on both sides of the theatre.

The walls of the theatre were divided into sections, and each section had a golden lyre with ...
Golden house lights.

Golden house lights.

It was fun to count the golden shell lights while waiting for the show to begin. ...
Basket of Flowers

Basket of Flowers

There were half-pillars along the walls with lights on them. The tops of the pillars had ...
Central exits.

Central exits.

On the landing between the lower and upper levels are Exit doors on the east and west sides. They ...
Close-up of the exit doors.

Close up of the exit doors.

There was a lot of beautiful detail in the design of the theatre. ...
Tops of twisted columns

Tops of twisted columns.

These are the decorative “capitals” at the top of the twisted columns flanking the exit doors on either ...
Eastern view of auditorium.

Eastern view of auditorium.

Looking at the theatre from stage front to back. Note the lyres on the wall, the baskets of flowers ...
Some technical photos behind the scenes.

Some technical photos behind the scenes.

At right is the back of the “silver screen” with sound speakers facing out to the audience. ...
The lighting board.

The lighting board.

All those beautiful lights were controlled by this panel. It takes miles of rope to run the ...
Extra plaster decorations.

Extra plaster decorations.

In the basement of the theatre were a larger number of spare plaster castings. Where did they ...
Beneath the stage of the theatre.

Beneath the stage of the theatre.

Basements are a great area for storing items that are rarely used. ...
Mechanicals

Mechanicals

A small part of the mechanical infrastructure. The theatre was always comfortable. I was told ...
Movie Projector.

Movie Projector.

The projectionist did a fine job of switching from reel to reel so that the movie flows ...
More projector equipment.

More projector equipment.

The projection room was high up at the back of the theatre ...
Vaudeville!

Vaudeville!

In the early years, the theatre was sometimes used for live vaudeville shows. Mirrors and ...
The Capitol Theatre.

The Capitol Theatre.

Above is a composite of three photographs, “stitched” together through the magic ...
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