Item Type: Collection

Linked To

Collection

Photograph

Collection (25)

Plan

Related Plans (3)

Series

Collection (3)

Item

Collection (2)

Books & Journals

Collection

Map

Add

no geotags or polygons yet

Tools

Download Add to My Collection Contact us about this Suggest an edit to this item Citation for this item

Capitol Theatre

Fields

Description

This collection contains a small selection of archives relating to the Capitol Theatre, which was formerly the Belmore Markets and the Hippodrome.

The Capitol Theatre is located in Haymarket, bounded by Pitt, Hay and Campbell streets.

This area was the location of the informal Paddy’s Market in the 19^th century, the new Belmore Markets from 1893 and Hippodrome for Wirth Brothers Circus from 1916 until it was converted into Capitol Theatre in 1928.

The original McRae market building was dismantled to construct the Hippodrome with the structure and details incorporated into the new building which opened in 1916. It was designed by Sydney city council architect RH Broderick and assistant architect, JH Merriman and carried out by contractors Messrs Maston & Yates.

Between 1926 and 1928 it was redesigned as a picture palace known as the Capitol Theatre by New Zealand-born architect and theatre designer Henry Eli White.

The Capitol Theatre was temporarily closed in 1932, as attendances fell during the Depression. The Capitol was re-opened by Greater Union in 1933. By 1945, the theatre was becoming dilapidated. It was closed for repairs.

The building was threatened with demolition in the 1960s and 1970s. From 1971 it was used for live entertainment rather than cinema. The New South Wales Heritage Council gave it an interim conservation order in 1979.

In the 1990s the Capitol was restored. Conservation works reinstated the atmospheric theatre finishes dating from 1928. The Capitol Theatre was officially re-opened in 1996 as a lyric theatre.

To find even more items relating to the Capitol Theatre try the search tool.

References

Dictionary of Sydney - Capitol Theatre

CollectionSignificant BuildingsTheatresHaymarketCinema

Photograph

Capitol Theatre, Haymarket, 2022

Interior of Capitol Theatre before restoration, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1992

Glass Negative - Hippodrome, Haymarket, circa 1914

Glass Negative - Wirth's Hippodrome, Haymarket, 1919

Interior of Capitol Theatre, Hay Street Sydney, 1995

Capitol Theatre before restoration, Interior, Hay Street Haymarket Sydney, circa 1992

Capitol Theatre before restoration, lobby, Hay Street Haymarket Sydney, circa 1992

Capitol Theatre before restoration, Interior, Hay Street Haymarket Sydney, circa 1992

Print - Construction of the Hippodrome, Haymarket, 1915

Print - Construction of the Hippodrome, Haymarket, 1914

Interior, Capitol Theatre, a statue, Augustus Caesar, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1972

Interior, Capitol Theatre, circle level bronze lamps, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1972

Interior of Capital Theatre with statue and urn, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1972

Tram in Parker Street near the Capitol Theatre in Haymarket, 1957

Interior restoration work of Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1993

Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1989

The Hippodrome, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1916

Fruit and vegetable stallholders inside Belmore Market, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1913

Plan

Plan - Hay Street, Pitt Street & Campbell Street - Capitol Theatre renovations, 1978

Plan - Alterations to the Capitol Theatre, Campbell Street Sydney, 1935

Plan - Campbell Street Sydney - alterations & additions [Capitol Theatre], 1972

Series

Capitol Theatre Reconstruction and Extension, Project Manager's Working Papers

Photographs of the Capitol Theatre

Plans of the Hippodrome, 1913-1915

Item

Conservation plan - Haymarket and the Capitol Theatre, 3-21 Campbell Street Haymarket, 1990

File - Lease of Sir William Manning Markets by Wirth Bros, 1912

Books & Journals

The Capitol Theatre restoration/ Lisa Murray

Interior of Capital Theatre, Campbell Street Haymarket, 1972 (A-00050271)

Start typing here to find a location	Latitude	Longitude	Zoom	Actions

loading google map....

Save Cancel

Menu

Capitol Theatre