Capitol Theatre

Albermarle Back Road,
Scarborough, YO11 1YA

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Ian
Ian on February 5, 2012 at 2:39 pm

Newly found information:–

The Capitol closed for alterations which separated the circle into a 630 seat cinema, whilst the former stalls accommodated 1,400 bingo players. A wall was constructed at the front of the balcony with a new screen surrounded by a swagged pelmet and fronted by new curtains. The architects involved were Eric Neve and Associates, the contractors were F Shepherd & Son Ltd, the cost was claimed to be £30,000. The Cinema re-opened 11th March 1968 with “Smashing Time” starring Rita Tushingham.

This followed a months closure the previous year when from 7th May 1967 to the 5th June the Capitol was closed for alterations and redecoration in the hands of Mecca. From this point the films were shown once nightly, seen from seats in the circle, whilst bingo was played in the stalls afternoons and early evening. This was reported as costing £60,000.

The cinema did not last very long and after it had closed the balcony sub-division was removed to restore the Capitol to its original appearance for bingo throughout. The usual staircase at one side of the balcony to the stalls was installed.

Source Evening News 11/3/1968 – includes photo.

Ian
Ian on January 12, 2012 at 4:55 am

Interior pictures of the former Capitol here:–

AUDITORIUM REAR TO FRONT

AUDITORIUM SIDE VIEW

DETAIL OF PROSCENIUM

AUDITORIUM FRONT TO REAR

Ian
Ian on September 1, 2009 at 4:15 am

A 2009 shot of the cinema here:–

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stagedoor/3876803487/

Ian
Ian on February 1, 2008 at 1:53 pm

A vintage shot of the cinema here:

View link

Ian
Ian on August 25, 2007 at 7:48 pm

August 2007 exterior picture here:–

View link

KenRoe
KenRoe on May 30, 2005 at 7:54 pm

The Capitol Theater opened on 11th March 1929 with the MGM silent movie “The Garden of Allah” starring Alice Terry. The original seating capacity was given as 2,200. It was equipped with a Fitton & Haley 2Manual/27Stop theatre organ that was opened by J.A. Ainsworth.

In the mid'1970’s the cinema was taken over by Classic Cinemas and re-named Classic. Bingo began to be played in the stalls area on some days and evenings of the week and films were screened less often, now viewable only from the original balcony seating when bingo wasn’t being played below. This situation only lasted a short time, as by 1977 Mecca had taken over and it had become a full time bingo hall which remains in use today.