Capitol Theatre (Port Hope)
capitol theatre located port hope ontario one last fully restored atmospheric movie theatre still operation canada national historic site still used performance constructed interior designed resemble walled medieval courtyard surrounded forest one first cinema country built expressly talking picture opened friday august screening queen high starring charlie ruggles ginger rogers capitol theatre located queen street port hope ontario built famous player following closure grand opera house music hall previous year famous player convinced project would worth undertaking former opera house manager stuart smart lobbied company theatre cost dollar build interior styled resemble norman castle opening night theatre outfitted seat later scaled back building designed former president ontario association architect murray brown oversaw construction thomas garnet son local firm responsible many landmark area including addition port hope high school capitol theatre sold premier theatre premier continued operate theatre february declining profit led decision put capitol sale last movie shown assassination firewalker following seat removed due one condition sale friend capitol theatre failed get ground late small group local citizen formed capitol theatre heritage foundation notforprofit group led rod stewart group subsequently raised million initial restoration capitol theatre foundation also tasked seeking heritage designation building another million raised expansion renovation construction phase project completed new cameco capitol art centre opened public funding ontario trillium foundation allowed capitol theatre upgrade projection room mm film digital projection – allowing theatre continue screen new release currently capitol theatre also operates title cameco capitol art centre operates movie theatre host live stage production run staff assistance large base volunteer theatre designated national historic site july federal plaque reflecting status unveiled ceremony november common theatre design time construction capitol theatre layout small entrance frontage long narrow lobby auditorium opening behind streetfront store tax based street frontage land larger auditorium cheaper back lot long narrow lobby connecting entrance auditorium worked well ticket lineup theatre built exclusively talking picture small stage low rake floor backstage facility minimal number washroom limited lobby space built beginning great depression canada capitol designed atmospheric movie theatre low cost highly visual theatre design twilight sky hanging vine castellated battlement part norman courtyard design outdoor illusion enhanced cloud projected seamless ceiling brenograph innovative machine facade begin illusion one approaching medieval castle leaded diamond paned window exterior egyptianmotif capitol sign original theatre apparently erected instruction famous player original design projecting marquee emulates drawbridge outer lobby stenciled detail faux painted wall original terrazzo floor show board ticket window art deco influence construction period evident paint colour stencil used lobby auditorium inner lobby original furniture one ascends step auditorium frescoed wall ceiling suggest one sitting medieval castle courtyard created use faux plaster work wall finished different colour ceiling plaster applied one continuous operation recruiting large team plasterer mile around worked around clock standing cedar pole scaffolding obtain seamless sky plaster chance dry much artwork rendered paint wet coloured plaster according traditional fresco method trade theatre sometimes called soft top since illusion ceiling—of door stencil proscenium arch original wall lantern capitol theatre capitol theatre history capitol theatre foundation fonds