Capital Theater Woodstock, Ontario
The Capitol Theatre, formerly known as the Woodstock Opera House, was built in 1893 at 391-395 Dundas Street, Woodstock. Owned and operated by John Griffin's Griffin Amusement Company of Toronto, it opened in 1908 as a 1,480-seat theatre that included a balcony and balcony boxes, and could mount stage as well as silent movie shows. In the early 1900s, it had the largest stage (23 x 60 feet) betweenWindsor and Hamilton. Although silent films were shown regularly, with a six-pieceorchestra in a pit before the stage to provide accompaniment, touring stage shows also made routine and popular visits. Every summer a stock company would visit for several weeks, putting on a different play each night. The local YMCA also had a singing group, Y Beaver Minstrels, that performed there to packed houses. During the intervals, 11 and 12 year-old YMCA members would be drafted to walk up and down the aisles selling Crackerjacks, as a fundraiser.In 1927, Famous Players Ltd. bought the Woodstock Opera House, renamed it the Capitol Theatre and soon began showing the firsttalkies. In 1940, The Capitol was sold to another local businessman, Tom Naylor, who made extensive upgrades, including adding an up-to-date sound system and fireproofing the projection booth: the nitrate-based film then used was very flammable, unlike the safety film in use today. However, live stage performances were still popular and vaudeville was a part of every Saturday evening show until 1956.
The Capitol closed in 1999, after which time it sat abandoned and in disrepair. The concern for maintaining the historic theatre came to the attention of the Woodstock city council. Resident Bert Taylor spoke to council about the concern, saying the building has seen historical events and famous people within its walls but now faces an absentee landowner with little interest for celebrating that history. Taylor wanted council to designate the building as a heritage property.
Demolition
The City of Woodstock issued a demolition order to the owners of the Capitol Theatre in June, 2010. According to the city the building has experienced a "major roof collapse in the middle of the building" and "the last exterior walls remain standing and unstable." The theatre was demolished later that year
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Theatre_(Woodstock,_Ontario)
Demolition
The City of Woodstock issued a demolition order to the owners of the Capitol Theatre in June, 2010. According to the city the building has experienced a "major roof collapse in the middle of the building" and "the last exterior walls remain standing and unstable." The theatre was demolished later that year
References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Theatre_(Woodstock,_Ontario)