Port Hope Capitol Theatre
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The Port Hope Capitol Theatre opened in 1930. It was one of the first theatres in Canada designed specifically to present “Talkies” and, as a result, represents the major architectural changes in theatre design that took place at the end of the 1920s. Designed by Canadian architect Murray Brown, the theatre is a remarkable example of an atmospheric theatre, a style of theatre that was popular at that time, decorated to give patrons the impression of being in a romantic outdoor amphitheatre. Today, this small town theatre is in excellent physical condition and has retained a high level of architectural integrity making it a rare example of this kind of theatre still in operation in Canada.
The theatre is located in Port Hope, Ontario, a small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, about a hundred kilometres east of Toronto. The theatre sits on Queen Street, one of the town’s main thoroughfares, in a row of commercial and residential buildings. In 1930, following the closure of the town’s only theatre, Famous Players commissioned the construction of a new theatre which was designed specifically for “Talkies”. The Capitol opened in August 1930, with the screening of Queen High, starring Charles Ruggles and Ginger Rogers, and was welcomed enthusiastically by the local population.
The Capitol Theatre is an outstanding example of an atmospheric theatre, a short-lived, but very popular trend in North America in the late 1920s. A simple two-and-a-half storey building on the exterior, inside it is designed to resemble a medieval English garden. The interior possesses the essential elements of an atmospheric theatre: a ceiling with stars, nocturnal atmosphere, and walls decorated with trompe-l’oeil motifs to give patrons the impression of being seated in a romantic outdoor amphitheatre. The lower auditorium walls are grey, painted to imitate Caen stone, with paintings of trees on the upper sections. The stars, which were originally painted on the ceiling, were replaced with little lights during the restoration. The exterior of the building features a marquee suspended on chains to resemble a drawbridge. This component, combined with the diamond paned windows, is consistent with the medieval chateau decor of the interior, although somewhat inconsistent with the distinctive Egyptian motif of the sign. The building was highly innovative for its time: designed to be completely fireproof, it was also the first building in town to make use of steel girders. In addition, its patrons were provided with the most up-to-date comforts and services.
The theatre, like many from this era, closed due to declining audiences but its survival was ensured by the commitment of the local population. In 1993, six years after closing, the Capitol Theatre Heritage Foundation was created with major support from the local populace to save the building. Three phases of the restoration were undertaken in 1995, and the theatre then reopened. The work, based on the substantial historical information available, allowed for a number of features which had deteriorated to be recreated exactly as they had been and for some original features to be saved.
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