Capri Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Capri Theatre is a cinema in Goodwood
, a suburb of Adelaide
, South Australia
, built in the Art Deco style.
It is owned by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (South Australian Division) Inc, which bills the cinema as a "Unique Entertainment Showplace in the World".
A feature of the cinema is the Wurlitzer
theatre organ, which is used regularly for recitals, as well as an entertainment feature supporting the screening of films.
Several times a year, the cinema presents "Nostalgia Movie Nights", when popular classic films are shown, in a programme with supporting short films, a newsreel and nostalgic advertising.
At the time of opening, the seating capacity
was 1,472 persons.
Greater Union
acquired the cinema in 1947, as part of their acquisition of the Clifford Circuit.
The cinema was renamed as the "New Curzon" in 1964, then again as the "Cinema Capri" in 1967.
theatre organ, with the pipe work in glass fronted chambers along each side of the screen.
The inaugural concert took place in April 1983.
The organ is the second largest theatre organ in Australia.
It is regarded as one of the finest theatre organs in the world.
as centrepiece of the stage.
There is a stage at the front of the cinema, with an approximate area of 88 square metres.
design, including:
It is the second largest theatre organ in Australia.
The organ console is located below centre stage, and is elevated from beneath the stage for performances.
In addition, the cinema is used for concerts featuring the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ.
Goodwood, South Australia
Goodwood is an inner southern suburb of the city of Adelaide. It neighbours the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds and features several churches in its commercial district...
, a suburb of Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, built in the Art Deco style.
It is owned by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (South Australian Division) Inc, which bills the cinema as a "Unique Entertainment Showplace in the World".
A feature of the cinema is the Wurlitzer
Wurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
theatre organ, which is used regularly for recitals, as well as an entertainment feature supporting the screening of films.
Several times a year, the cinema presents "Nostalgia Movie Nights", when popular classic films are shown, in a programme with supporting short films, a newsreel and nostalgic advertising.
Opening of the cinema
The cinema opened in October 1941 as the "Star Theatre", and it was part of the Clifford Theatre Circuit.At the time of opening, the seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
was 1,472 persons.
Greater Union
Greater Union
Greater Union, Birch Carroll and Coyle, Event Cinemas, Skycity Cinemas and Damodar Village Cinemas together form a chain of cinema multiplexes across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji...
acquired the cinema in 1947, as part of their acquisition of the Clifford Circuit.
The cinema was renamed as the "New Curzon" in 1964, then again as the "Cinema Capri" in 1967.
Acquisition by the Theatre Organ Society
The Theatre Organ Society of Australia (South Australian Division) Inc. purchased the cinema in 1978, and they relaunched the cinema as the "Capri Theatre".Installation of the Mighty Wurlitzer
The Theatre Organ Society installed a WurlitzerWurlitzer
The Rudolph Wurlitzer Company, usually referred to simply as Wurlitzer, was an American company that produced stringed instruments, woodwinds, brass instruments, theatre organs, band organs, orchestrions, electronic organs, electric pianos and jukeboxes....
theatre organ, with the pipe work in glass fronted chambers along each side of the screen.
The inaugural concert took place in April 1983.
The organ is the second largest theatre organ in Australia.
It is regarded as one of the finest theatre organs in the world.
Heritage listing
In 1990, the cinema was placed on the South Australian State Heritage Register.Features of the Cinema
The cinema offers a unique combination of modern cinema presentation capacity in an authentic Art Deco heritage building, as well as a venue for concerts and recitals featuring the Wurlitzer theatre organ consoleOrgan console
thumb|right|250px|The console of the [[Wanamaker Organ]] in the Macy's department store in [[Philadelphia]], featuring six manuals and colour-coded stop tabs....
as centrepiece of the stage.
Configuration and capacity
The cinema is a single screen cinema, with 782 seats on two levels.There is a stage at the front of the cinema, with an approximate area of 88 square metres.
Modern cinematic presentation features
The cinema has many modern features:- Platter projection system
- Dolby digital stereo sound system
- 3-D projection capability
- Deluxe lounge seats, including double "love seats".
Authentic Art Deco restoration
While the cinema has modern presentation features, its appearance has been carefully restored to its 1941 Art DecoArt Deco
Art deco , or deco, is an eclectic artistic and design style that began in Paris in the 1920s and flourished internationally throughout the 1930s, into the World War II era. The style influenced all areas of design, including architecture and interior design, industrial design, fashion and...
design, including:
- Exterior and interior decoration restored to original 1941 colours and styles
- Original 1941 design carpeting
- Replica 1941 Art Deco fireplace, mirror & wooden Venetians in the upstairs foyer
- Club Lounges and replica 1941 round column seating in both foyers
Wurlitzer Theatre Organ
The organ comprises 29 ranks of pipes, which are installed on each side of the stage. The pipes are visible during performances featuring the organ.It is the second largest theatre organ in Australia.
The organ console is located below centre stage, and is elevated from beneath the stage for performances.
Operation and programming
The cinema operates mainstream cinema programming.In addition, the cinema is used for concerts featuring the "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ.
See also
- Wallis CinemasWallis CinemasWallis Cinemas is a South Australian company that operates cinema complexes, cinemas and drive-ins in the city of Adelaide and its suburbs.-History:...
South Australian cinema circuit - Movie theatre
- Theatre organTheatre organA theatre organ is a pipe organ originally designed specifically for imitation of an orchestra. New designs have tended to be around some of the sounds and blends unique to the instrument itself....
- Rod BlackmoreRod BlackmoreRodney David Blackmore , born 1935, was the Senior Children's Court Magistrate in NSW, Australia from 1978-1995. Both his father, Cecil Hargreaves Blackmore, and grandfather, Hugh Blackmore, served as NSW magistrates before him....
Author of Australasian Theatre Organs