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An early 20th century black and white photograph of the interior of a theatre with ornate curtains concealing the screen.
Exterior black and white photograph c1955 of the theatre building.
Empty seats inside a theatre with geometric ceiling lit up by multi-coloured lights.
An early 20th century black and white photograph of the interior of a theatre with ornate curtains concealing the screen.

The Capitol, RMIT

Marion Mahoney Griffin & Walter Burley Griffin 1924, Six Degrees Architects 2019

Description

The Capitol is a cinema in the heart of Melbourne dating back to 1924. One of Melbourne's original big three cinemas and an architectural icon, the building is an important example of Marion Mahoney Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin's commercial architectural work, and a significant cultural building in Melbourne's arts spine.

Renowned Australian architect and RMIT alumnus Robin Boyd described it as “the best cinema that was ever built or is ever likely to be built”. It was refurbished and upgraded by RMIT University and Six Degrees Architects in 2019.

This year RMIT is celebrating 100 years of architectural and cinematic wonder at The Capitol. From silent films to near-demolition, refurbishments and reinvention, the theatre has stood the test of time to remain a cultural icon of Melbourne.

What's On

There will be open building access and social history tours with RMIT.

2pm - A special presentation by the Theatre Organ Association of Australia in support of our 100th anniversary and the ongoing campaign to return The Capitol's theatre organ!

Featuring: The Dandenong ranges Hot Jazz Orchestra, a selection of historic films featuring The Capitol organ and its renowned organists Horace Weber, Newell Alton, and other treasures highlighting the history of accompanied silent film in Cinema

Images: (1) Interior of the Capitol Theatre Swanston Street, showing the stage and curtain. Photo: Lyle Fowler circa 1955. (2) Paramount's Capitol Theatre. Photo: Lyle Fowler 1937-39. (3) The Capitol auditorium. Photo: Marc Morel. (4) Interior of the Capitol Theatre Swanston Street, showing the stage and curtain. Photo: Lyle Fowler circa 1955.

Important Details

Time & Date

Sunday 28 July
Open access 9.30am-4pm

Tours run 11.15am, 12.45pm + 2.15pm
Running for 30 minutes in groups of 50

Presentation by the Theatre Organ Association of Australia 2pm
Running for 30 minutes with a capacity of 550

ACCESSIBILITY

Partially wheelchair accessible, Accessible bathroom, Elevator access

Location

113 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000

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Acknowledgement of Country

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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Built By Efront

Our programming exists on what always was and always will be the land of the people of the Kulin nation. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, as well as to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the wider Melbourne community and beyond. Indigenous sovereignty has never been ceded in Australia and we are mindful of this in everything we do, given our focus on the modern built environment.

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