Difference between revisions of "Capitol Theatre"

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The [[Capitol Theatre]] is the name of a theatre and cinema venue in Pretoria.
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The [[Capitol]] or [[Capitol Theatre]] is the name of several venues in South Africa
  
=Origins and specifications =
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=The Capitol Theatre, Pretoria=
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This was a theatre and cinema venue in Pretoria.
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==Origins and specifications ==
  
 
An ornate “atmospheric” theatre built in 1931 on north western corner of Church Square, on the site of the original '''[[President Theatre]]''' (later '''[[Empress Theatre]]''' and '''[[His Majesty's Theatre]]'''), which had been acquired by [[African Consolidated Theatres]] in 1918.
 
An ornate “atmospheric” theatre built in 1931 on north western corner of Church Square, on the site of the original '''[[President Theatre]]''' (later '''[[Empress Theatre]]''' and '''[[His Majesty's Theatre]]'''), which had been acquired by [[African Consolidated Theatres]] in 1918.
  
= Performances =
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== Performances ==
  
 
Numerous productions were done there, including ****, ***  and  
 
Numerous productions were done there, including ****, ***  and  
  
= Conversion to a bioscope =  
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== Conversion to a bioscope ==
  
 
In 19** it was converted to a popular [[Bioscope|bioscope]] (movie house) ,
 
In 19** it was converted to a popular [[Bioscope|bioscope]] (movie house) ,
  
= Closure and fate =
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== Closure and fate ==
  
 
in 197* closed down. The South African government now asked the the architectural firms Botha, Lotter and partners and  Daneel and Smit to make proposals for developing this theatre into a opera building, a drama theatre and to create extra office space. After long consultation it is found that it is structurally impossible and the idea shifted to building an entirely new theatre, the [[State Theatre]] Pretoria on the old market square.  
 
in 197* closed down. The South African government now asked the the architectural firms Botha, Lotter and partners and  Daneel and Smit to make proposals for developing this theatre into a opera building, a drama theatre and to create extra office space. After long consultation it is found that it is structurally impossible and the idea shifted to building an entirely new theatre, the [[State Theatre]] Pretoria on the old market square.  
  
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From then till 1998 its vast interior was used as a parking garage for the Transvaal Provincial Administration. In 1998 moves were once more set afoot to resurrect it as a theatre, but seemingly to no avail.
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=The Capitol, East London=
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This was a cinema located in Union Street. It later changed its named to The [[Protea]].
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=Sources=
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Beryl Bowie. 2005. ''East London - heart of Buffalo City''.
  
From then till 1998 its vast interior was used as a parking garage for the Transvaal Provincial Administration. In 1998 moves were once more set afoot to resurrect it as a theatre, but seemingly to no avail.
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=Return to=
  
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]
 
Return to [[South_African_Theatre/Venues|South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc ]]

Revision as of 10:43, 10 August 2024

The Capitol or Capitol Theatre is the name of several venues in South Africa

The Capitol Theatre, Pretoria

This was a theatre and cinema venue in Pretoria.

Origins and specifications

An ornate “atmospheric” theatre built in 1931 on north western corner of Church Square, on the site of the original President Theatre (later Empress Theatre and His Majesty's Theatre), which had been acquired by African Consolidated Theatres in 1918.

Performances

Numerous productions were done there, including ****, *** and

Conversion to a bioscope

In 19** it was converted to a popular bioscope (movie house) ,

Closure and fate

in 197* closed down. The South African government now asked the the architectural firms Botha, Lotter and partners and Daneel and Smit to make proposals for developing this theatre into a opera building, a drama theatre and to create extra office space. After long consultation it is found that it is structurally impossible and the idea shifted to building an entirely new theatre, the State Theatre Pretoria on the old market square.

From then till 1998 its vast interior was used as a parking garage for the Transvaal Provincial Administration. In 1998 moves were once more set afoot to resurrect it as a theatre, but seemingly to no avail.

The Capitol, East London

This was a cinema located in Union Street. It later changed its named to The Protea.

Sources

Beryl Bowie. 2005. East London - heart of Buffalo City.

Return to

Return to South African Theatre Venues, Companies, Societies, etc

Return to The ESAT Entries

Return to Main Page