Capitol (Scarborough)

• Theatre ID
  2279
• Built / Converted
  1929
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Bingo
• Address
  Ablemarle Crescent/Westborough, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England

Details

This is a large cinéariety theatre opened just before the advent of sound films with a fully equipped stage, with fly tower, dressing rooms and orchestra pit. Despite these facilities the Capitol was used as a cinema with only rare live performances on its stage. The white faience façe is in three major bays, the outer two lower than the centre, which has a slightly advanced frontispiece containing a trio of tall, semi-circular arched windows rising to an enriched cavetto cornice. The arch tympana contain well modelled Greek masks with musical trophies and, at the centre, profile comedy and tragedy masks as supporters. On either side of the frontispiece are single doors with windows above. The outer bays, again, have single doors and tall, pedimented blind windows. The façe is completed with a blind attic with cartouche and the name CAPITOL in elegant sunk letters. A secondary entrance was provided on Westborough again in faience (now painted) and with a repeat of the cartouche. On the opposite side, in a back access road, are the stage get-in, stage door, dressing rooms etc. The single-balconied auditorium is lavish, with a blind arcade to the side walls terminating in splayed pavilions containing ornamental organ gilles on either side of the proscenium arch. Above the arch is a classical frieze with a central medallion containing the letter C. The ceiling is a plainer shallow barrel vault. The stalls foyer is small but at circle level the former cafe now gives a spacious foyer in the circle void lit by the three large windows.

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• Events
  • Owner/Management: Londesborough Theatre & Picture House (Scarborough) Ltd (later renamed Londesborough & Capital (Scarborough) Ltd)
  • Owner/Management: Mecca Ltd
  • 1929 Design/Construction:
    • E S Gray (Gray & Evans) - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 2100
  • Current: est. 2100
• Listings
  • Grade II
• Stage type
  • Proscenium flat