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The Capitol Theatre is considered as one of the finest theatres in Australia. The Capitol Theatre’s building is located in the historical Haymarket district, which used to be Belmore markets in 1892. The building still has the market’s theme of fruit and foliage in the terra cotta and arch spandrels.From being a market, the building changed into a hippodrome in 1916 fabricated specially for the... Read moreThe Capitol Theatre is considered as one of the finest theatres in Australia. The Capitol Theatre’s building is located in the historical Haymarket district, which used to be Belmore markets in 1892. The building still has the market’s theme of fruit and foliage in the terra cotta and arch spandrels.From being a market, the building changed into a hippodrome in 1916 fabricated specially for the Wirth Bros circus. A concrete water tank was made for the circus’ polar bears and seals and still exists in the theatre only concealed by a new floor.The circus became financially impractical after 10 years that the Wirth Bros decided to change it to a movie theatre. John Eberson was appointed to make the Capitol Theatre for Union Theatres, its new tenant in 1927. The Capitol Theatre opened in 1928 with the Sydney Morning Herald covering the news saying: “The effect of the new Capitol Theatre on the crowds which entered it on Saturday night was bewildering and a little overwhelming. One seemed to have stepped from under the dull skies of everyday life and passed into an enchanted region where the depth of the blue heavens had something magical about it and something heavily exotic, clouds passed lightly over then stars began to twinkle. Then again all was blue and clear.”The theatre experienced great days but was hit by the depression that in 1933 it resorted to showing second rate movies. The birth of the TV aggravated conditions that vandalism and the lack of funds lead to the end of the Capitol in 1977.The Capitol almost lost it fates at the jaws of the bulldozer during the end of the 1970’s Heritage Council conservation order proposed to restore the structure and conceive a topnotch lyric theatre. The restoration for the theatre happened for two years and finally Miss Saigon, a highly praised production placed the Capitol back on the world stage in July 1995. Collapse
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I have been to the Capitol Theatre only once. In general I think it's a good theatre. However my first preference is Sydney Lyric Theatre in the City Star Casino.The reasons are: better sound and sits arrangement.If I go again - I'll make sure I am sitting closer to the stage and not watching a musical!:) Read moreI have been to the Capitol Theatre only once. In general I think it's a good theatre. However my first preference is Sydney Lyric Theatre in the City Star Casino.The reasons are: better sound and sits arrangement.If I go again - I'll make sure I am sitting closer to the stage and not watching a musical!:) Collapse
2 December 2010
I went to Capitol theatre to see "Fame". I was quite excited before the performance because usually I like the atmosphere of theatrical magic.Unfortunally I was disappointed. The theatre itself looks like a cheap replica of the old theatres. Quality of sound was poor, I had to close my ears several times when the music turned too loud. If you seat on the upper level, you'll see the stage from the... Read moreI went to Capitol theatre to see "Fame". I was quite excited before the performance because usually I like the atmosphere of theatrical magic.Unfortunally I was disappointed. The theatre itself looks like a cheap replica of the old theatres. Quality of sound was poor, I had to close my ears several times when the music turned too loud. If you seat on the upper level, you'll see the stage from the bird's eye view. Be prepared to take binoculars with you :)Overall I'm neutral about this place because despite all the discomfort they have very interesting productions and probably I'll come there again. Collapse
30 November 2010
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