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circles which were a feature of 1940s In 1990, the theatre was added
architecture. The building contractor was to the South Australian
R.J. Nurse of Norwood. Register of State Heritage
Items.
A bright green neon star was erected above the
theatre. This was to become a landmark in the The Capri Theatre is
area and, nearly 75 years later, still shines Australia's only fully
brightly at night. operational cinema which
features theatre organ music at
The corner site enabled the theatre to be built many evening screenings.
with a curved exterior wall. A series of large Regular screenings feature the
glass double doors allow access from both organ being played for 15
Goodwood Road and Gilbert Street. In the minutes pre-show on Tuesday,
main foyer, curved glass ticket boxes with Friday and Saturday nights.
chrome-plated grilles stand on either side of Theatre organ concerts and
the staircase. other live shows are presented
from time to time.
The new theatre featured "love seats" (double-
sized seats which catered for two people). TOSA members have been
These seats were commonly found in Clifford involved with much of the
Theatres. They were in the upstairs Lounge restoration and alterations
and also extended four rows into the Dress undertaken at the Capri. With
Circle, as well as being used in the back six their many and varied skills,
rows of the Stalls. The seating was reported to they were able to extensively
have been deep and luxurious. alter the proscenium to Organist, Peter Hosking
accommodate the organ. Many
hours were spent by volunteers assembling the movements of the organ lift and the curtains
organ. covering the chambers.
The 4/29 Wurlitzer Organ console of four The Theatre Organ Society has transformed
keyboards came from the State Theatre in the interior into a very versatile theatre. New
Melbourne. The different sets of pipes (called luxury Art Deco styled seating has been
ranks) came from other organs in Australia, installed. Double "love seats" still remain a
New Zealand, England and America, making feature. Provision has also been made for
it one of the most outstanding organs in wheelchairs downstairs. Seating capacity is
Australia. The console is on a lift, which now 782 (327 in the stalls and 455 in the
allows it to be lowered into a pit with a lounge).
mechanically operated cover, thus providing a
flat stage area when the organ is not in use Members of TOSA (SA) are very proud of the
heritage of their theatre and have been careful
The various ranks of pipes, with all of the to restore it to its 1941 Art Deco design. This
associated mechanism, are located in includes restoration of the interior and exterior
chambers on both sides of the screen, with the decor to the original 1941 colours and styles.
percussion sections mounted on the front of Replica 1941 Art Deco fireplace, mirror and
the pipe chambers. These are covered by wooden venetian blinds have been installed in
curtains which can be opened to display the the upstairs foyer. New carpets are designed
whole organ when it is being played. The to match the original 1941 pattern. Club
Capri's computer system synchronises the lounges and replica 1941 style round column
Seating capacity was 1472. Throughout its
history, the theatre has been recognised as Below: The Society's 4/29 Wurlitzer pipe organ
having excellent acoustics. The use of
"Syncrete" cavity building blocks for the
construction of the walls, with their excellent
sound absorbing properties was the reason for
this.
In March 1947, Greater Union purchased
Clifford's Star Circuit. The theatre was
renamed the Odeon-Star Theatre and
operated under this name until it closed on
15 February 1964. Six days later, on
21 February 1964, it re-opened as the New
Cinema Curzon, which ran until 25 October
1967. After another brief closure, it re-opened
on 16 November 1967 as the Cinema Capri.
In 1978, Greater Union decided to close the
theatre and sell it. Cinema Capri closed on
27 May 1978.
On 26 December 1978, the Theatre Organ
Society purchased the theatre. Since then it
has traded as the Capri Theatre and has
become the home of the Society's 4/29
Wurlitzer pipe organ.

CINEMARECORD # 89 35