Capri Theatre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capri Theatre |
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Capri Theatre, built in 1930
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| Former names | Star Theatre, New Curzon, Cinema Capri |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Address | 141 Goodwood Road, Goodwood |
| Town or city | City of Unley, South Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Completed | 1941 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Christopher Arthur Smith |
The Capri Theatre is a special cinema in Goodwood, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It was built in 1941 in the cool Art Deco style. Over the years, it has had a few different names, like the Goodwood Star, New Curzon, and Cinema Capri.
Today, the Capri Theatre is owned by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (SA Division). It's famous for its amazing Wurlitzer theatre organ. This organ is played regularly for concerts and even before movies, making the cinema experience extra special!
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A Look Back: The Capri Theatre's History
The Capri Theatre was designed by a famous architect named Christopher Arthur Smith, who was known for his Art Deco buildings. It was built by R.J. Nurse, and Mrs. B.A. Gordon did the beautiful inside decorations. Even though the first plans showed the name "Savoy," it opened as the Goodwood Star.
The cinema first opened its doors on 8 October 1941. It replaced an older Star Theatre that was built in 1920 and is still standing nearby. The new cinema was part of the Clifford Theatre Circuit and could hold 1,472 people! On opening night, they showed two films: Florian and Dr. Kildare Goes Home.
In 1947, a big cinema company called Greater Union took over the theatre. They bought the Clifford Circuit, which included the Goodwood Star.
The cinema changed its name to the New Curzon on 21 February 1964. Then, on 16 November 1967, it became the Cinema Capri. At this time, Greater Union removed many of the original Art Deco decorations and reduced the number of seats to 851.
The Theatre Organ Society of Australia (South Australian Division) Inc. bought the cinema in 1978. They brought back its original name, the Capri Theatre. Since then, they have worked hard to bring back and fix many of the original inside features. In 2016, for the theatre's 75th birthday, the National Trust of Australia even helped raise money to repaint the outside!
The "Mighty Wurlitzer" Organ Arrives!
One of the most exciting things about the Capri Theatre is its "Mighty Wurlitzer" theatre organ. The Theatre Organ Society (TOSA) installed this amazing instrument. They even changed the arch around the screen to make room for the organ's pipes. These pipes are in special glass-fronted rooms on each side of the screen, which is very unique! The first concert with the organ was held on 2 April 1983.
This Wurlitzer organ has quite a story! It was first built in Sydney, then moved to Darwin for several years. Luckily, TOSA moved it to Adelaide just before Cyclone Tracy destroyed the house where it had been kept in Darwin.
When it was first set up, the organ had four keyboards and 13 sets of pipes (called "ranks"). More pipes have been added over time. As of 2020, it has 29 ranks, making it the second largest Wurlitzer organ in the Southern Hemisphere! The way its pipes are displayed in glass-fronted rooms is special and you won't see it in many other theatres.
A Special Place: Heritage Listing
Because of its unique history and beautiful Art Deco style, the Capri Theatre was added to the South Australian Heritage Register on 27 September 1990. This means it's an important building that needs to be protected.
Bringing Back the Art Deco Style
Even though the Capri Theatre has modern movie equipment, its look has been carefully brought back to its original 1941 Art Deco design. This includes:
- The outside and inside decorations have been restored to their original 1941 colours and styles.
- The carpets are designed just like the original ones from 1941.
- In the upstairs foyer, there's a fireplace, mirror, and wooden blinds that look exactly like the ones from 1941.
- The cinema also has comfy Club Lounges and round column seating in both foyers that match the 1941 style.
What's Happening at the Capri?
The Capri Theatre has one large screen and 750 seats spread across two levels. It's a great place for events, especially for groups wanting to raise money. It's also a popular spot for Adelaide Fringe events.
In 2012, the cinema got a new digital projection system. This was made possible with help from the South Australian Government and the Unley Council. Upstairs, you can find comfy lounge seats, including special "love seats" for two!
The cinema is run as a not-for-profit group. This means that most of the work is done by volunteers, and all the money earned goes back into keeping the building and its famous organ in great shape.
The Capri Theatre shows new mainstream movies, just like other cinemas. But it also has some unique events! Several times a year, they host "Nostalgia Movie Nights." These nights show popular classic films, along with old short films, newsreels, and vintage advertisements. Another regular event is "Cult at the Capri," where they show two movies back-to-back.
And of course, the Wurlitzer organ is a big part of the experience! It's played before movie sessions on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. The cinema also holds regular organ concerts, featuring talented organ players from both Australia and around the world.
