Capitol Theatre, Cardiff

Capitol Theatre was a cinema and concert venue located in Cardiff, Wales, which featured a 3,158-seat auditorium was purpose built entertainment venue, which closed for business on 21 January 1978. Not only did it hold an auditorium, but also a ballroom, three restaurants, a bar, a banqueting hall and a games hall.[1]

Capitol Theatre
The Cap[1]
Former namesCapitol Cinema
AddressQueen Street
LocationCardiff
Coordinates51.4827°N 3.1725°W / 51.4827; -3.1725
TypeCinema and concert venue
Capacity3,158
Construction
Built1919–1921
Opened24 December 1921 (1921-12-24)[1]
Closed21 January 1978 (1978-01-21)[1]
Demolished1983

History

Construction of the theatre took 3 years.[1] The Capitol Theatre opened on 24 December 1921 with the British comedy film Nothing Else Matters.[1] The theatre had a seating capacity of 3,158 in the stalls, circle and balcony, which at the time, was the largest purpose-built cinema in Europe.[1] It was originally owned by Tilney Kinema Company,[1] but in 1931 it was leased to Paramount Cinemas.[2] In 1941 the Rank Organisation took over the lease,[2] and in 1964 they purchased the theatre from the Tilney Kinema Company.[2]

The notable artists that played at the theatre included such musicians as Tom Jones, The Beatles, Queen, Santana, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Chuck Berry played there on 9 June 1970, supported by Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets, the Wild Angels, T.Rex and Bob Dylan. The Beatles' last live UK tour concluded with two performances at the theatre on 12 December 1965.[3] Santana's only shows in Wales were here on 7 September 1975. The Rank Organisation closed the theatre in 1978 and it was demolished in 1983.[4][5][6] The Capitol Centre now occupies the site.

References
  1. "Cardiff". Cinerama. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  2. "Entertaining South Wales-Capitol Theatre & Cinema / Odeon Capital Theatre" (PDF). overthefootlights.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  3. "Live: Capitol Cinema, Cardiff". The Beatles Bible. 1965-12-12. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  4. "Cardiff". Cinema Wales. 2013. Retrieved 2014-02-19.
  5. "Capitol Cinema in Cardiff, GB - Cinema Treasures". cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
  6. Doel, Jon (2014-04-24). "Ghost cinemas from Cardiff's past". walesonline. Retrieved 2017-03-16.
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