Capri Theatre

Capri Theatre is a heritage-listed single-screen cinema in Goodwood, an inner-southern suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. The building opened in 1941 as the New Star Theatre and was developed by theatre entrepreneur Dan Clifford as part of the Clifford Theatre Circuit. Designed by Adelaide architect Christopher Arthur Smith and built by R. J. Nurse of Norwood, it was conceived in the Art Deco period and originally accommodated 1,472 people. Its opening programme included Florian, starring Robert Young, and Dr. Kildare Goes Home, starring Lew Ayres. The venue has operated under several names. It began as the New Star Theatre, although the original plans reportedly used the name Savoy, and it was also associated with the Goodwood Star name. After Greater Union acquired the Clifford circuit in 1947, the theatre continued under commercial cinema ownership. In 1964 it became the New Curzon following the closure of an older nearby Curzon venue. In 1967 it was renamed Cinema Capri, while much of its original Art Deco decoration was removed and its seating capacity was reduced to 851. The Theatre Organ Society of Australia’s South Australian Division purchased the cinema in 1978. Under the society’s stewardship, the venue was relaunched as the Capri Theatre and developed into a combined cinema, live organ and community events venue. The organisation operates the theatre on a not-for-profit basis, with substantial volunteer involvement and with operating surpluses directed toward maintaining the building and its theatre organ. The restored venue now has approximately 750 seats distributed across two levels, including lounge-style seating and double seats in the upper area. The Capri’s most distinctive feature is its Wurlitzer theatre organ. The instrument originated in the United States in 1923 and subsequently spent periods in theatres in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. It was later moved to Darwin and then transported to Adelaide by the Theatre Organ Society in 1974. Following extensive rebuilding and enlargement, the organ received its formal Capri inauguration on 2 April 1983. Its pipes are housed in glass-fronted chambers on both sides of the screen, made possible by alterations to the proscenium. The instrument had four keyboards and 13 ranks when first installed; by 2020 it had grown to 29 ranks and was described as the second-largest theatre organ in the Southern Hemisphere. The cinema combines mainstream film programming with specialist events. Regular offerings include classic-film Nostalgia Movie Nights, which may include short films, newsreels and period advertising, as well as Cult at the Capri double-feature events. The organ is played before selected Tuesday, Friday and Saturday evening sessions and is also used for concerts by Australian and international organists. The building can be hired for community and fundraising functions and is used during Adelaide Fringe programming. A digital projection system was installed in 2012 with assistance from the South Australian Government and Unley Council. The theatre has also undergone continuing conservation and restoration work intended to recover its 1941 Art Deco character, including historically sympathetic colours, carpet, foyer furnishings, club lounges and replica decorative elements. The National Trust of Australia supported an appeal associated with repainting the exterior for the building’s 75th anniversary in 2016. The cinema entered the South Australian Heritage Register on 27 September 1990. In 2023 it marked 40 years of the Wurlitzer at the Capri with an Easter-weekend programme, and in 2024 the venue appeared in the photographic exhibition Now Showing... Cinema Architecture in South Australia.

The Capri Theatre’s site is part of Goodwood’s early cinema history. Two doors from the present building stands the former Goodwood Wondergraph, which opened on 3 November 1911 and later became associated with the Star and Curzon names. The Clifford Theatre Circuit acquired that earlier venue and other suburban cinemas in September 1920. After the newer theatre opened in 1941, the older Star was sold to Ozone Theatres, renamed the Ozone Theatre and later renamed the Curzon. It closed on 20 February 1964. The present building was commissioned by Dan Clifford, who was responsible for a number of Adelaide cinemas, including the Piccadilly Theatre in North Adelaide. Architect Christopher Arthur Smith designed the building in the Art Deco style, and R. J. Nurse of Norwood undertook construction. Although the original drawings used the proposed name Savoy, the venue opened on 8 October 1941 as the New Star Theatre, with a capacity of 1,472. Its opening films were Florian and Dr. Kildare Goes Home. Greater Union acquired the cinema in 1947 as part of its purchase of the Clifford circuit. When the nearby older Curzon closed in February 1964, the New Star was renamed the New Curzon. On 16 November 1967 it became Cinema Capri. During this period, Greater Union removed much of the original interior decoration and reduced capacity to 851, reflecting changes in commercial cinema operation and the physical adaptation of the building. A major institutional change occurred in 1978, when the Theatre Organ Society of Australia’s South Australian Division purchased the cinema. The organisation restored and repurposed the site as the Capri Theatre, combining film exhibition with organ recitals, concerts, community activities and venue hire. The theatre’s not-for-profit operating model relies heavily on volunteers, with income directed toward the building and its organ rather than shareholder distribution. The Wurlitzer organ became central to the venue’s identity. Built in the United States in 1923, the instrument had previously been used in theatres in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. It was moved to Darwin during the 1960s but did not function reliably there, and the Theatre Organ Society transported it to Adelaide in 1974, shortly before Cyclone Tracy destroyed the house where it had been stored. Reassembly took several years. The organ was inaugurated at the Capri on Easter Saturday, 2 April 1983, in a celebration attended by theatre organists from overseas and elsewhere. The instrument was expanded over time. Its initial configuration included four keyboards and 13 ranks of pipes; additional pipework was subsequently incorporated, and by 2020 it had 29 ranks. The pipes are displayed in glass-fronted chambers beside the screen, an unusual installation for a cinema or theatre. The organ is used before selected regular film sessions and for dedicated concerts, helping distinguish the Capri from ordinary commercial multiplexes. Its 40th anniversary at the theatre was commemorated during Easter from 7 to 10 April 2023. Conservation has been an ongoing feature of the venue’s modern history. The theatre was added to the South Australian Heritage Register on 27 September 1990. Restoration work has sought to recover the appearance and atmosphere of the 1941 building, including original-style colours, carpeting, foyer details, seating elements and club lounges. A National Trust of Australia appeal helped support exterior repainting associated with the theatre’s 75th anniversary in 2016. Modern technical infrastructure has been introduced without abandoning the historic setting; a digital projection system was installed in 2012 with assistance from the state government and Unley Council. Today the Capri is a single-screen, approximately 750-seat heritage cinema. It presents mainstream films alongside nostalgic and cult programming, organ events, Adelaide Fringe activities and private or fundraising functions. Its significance rests on the combination of a surviving Art Deco cinema environment, community-based operation and an unusually prominent working theatre organ. In 2024 the building was included in a photographic exhibition on cinema architecture in South Australia, further reflecting its cultural and architectural role in Adelaide.

• 2024

  Included in cinema-architecture exhibition

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The Capri appeared in the photographic exhibition Now Showing... Cinema Architecture in South Australia at the Hawke Centre.

• 2023

  Wurlitzer anniversary celebrated

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theatre marked four decades since the organ’s inauguration with an Easter-weekend celebration from 7 to 10 April.

• 2016

  Exterior restoration appeal supports 75th anniversary work

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A National Trust of Australia appeal supported repainting and conservation-related work associated with the theatre’s 75th anniversary.

• 2012

  Digital projection installed

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theatre added digital projection with assistance from the South Australian Government and Unley Council.

• 1990

  South Australian Heritage Register listing

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The cinema was listed on the South Australian Heritage Register on 27 September.

• 1983

  Wurlitzer organ inaugurated at the Capri

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The rebuilt organ received its inaugural concert on 2 April after years of transport, restoration and installation work.

• 1978

  Theatre Organ Society of Australia purchases the cinema

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The South Australian Division of the society acquired the building and established the Capri Theatre identity.

• 1967

  Cinema Capri name introduced

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The venue was renamed Cinema Capri on 16 November, with its seating reduced and much of its Art Deco interior removed.

• 1964

  Venue becomes the New Curzon

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Following the closure of the older nearby Curzon, the New Star was renamed the New Curzon on 21 February.

• 1947

  Greater Union acquires the cinema

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The venue changed corporate ownership when Greater Union acquired the Clifford Theatre Circuit.

• 1941

  New Star Theatre opens

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The present Art Deco building opened on 8 October with seating for 1,472 people.

• 1920

  Clifford Theatre Circuit acquires the earlier Goodwood cinema

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The circuit acquired the Wondergraph and other suburban cinemas in September.

• 1911

  Goodwood Wondergraph opens

  [1]Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The earlier Goodwood Wondergraph opened on 3 November and later became part of the local Star and Curzon cinema history.

A volunteer-supported, not-for-profit heritage cinema distinguished by its restored 1941 Art Deco setting and regularly used Wurlitzer theatre organ.

• Film exhibition

  Mainstream cinema screenings

  The Capri operates as a contemporary single-screen cinema while retaining its historic auditorium. Its regular programme includes mainstream feature films presented through modern digital projection within the restored Art Deco building.

• Classic-film programme

  Nostalgia Movie Nights

  These recurring programmes focus on popular classic films and may be supplemented by short films, newsreels and period advertising. The format uses the venue’s architectural character and organ tradition to create a retrospective cinema experience rather than a standard film session.

• Specialty film programme

  Cult at the Capri

  Cult at the Capri is a recurring double-feature format built around cult and specialist cinema. It broadens the theatre’s programming beyond mainstream releases and makes use of the venue as a destination for enthusiast audiences.

• Theatre organ performance · 1983

  Mighty Wurlitzer organ

  The Capri’s Wurlitzer is a restored and expanded theatre organ with four keyboards and 29 ranks as reported in 2020. Its pipework is displayed in glass-fronted chambers beside the screen. It accompanies selected cinema sessions and supports regular recitals and concerts by local and international organists.

• Event venue

  Venue hire and community events

  The theatre is available for hire, with a particular emphasis on fundraising and community functions. Its auditorium, foyer spaces, heritage setting and organ make it suitable for special screenings, live presentations and Adelaide Fringe-related events.

• 2023Wurlitzer 40th-anniversary celebration

  Australia

  The Capri presented an Easter-weekend celebration from 7 to 10 April to mark 40 years since the Wurlitzer organ’s inauguration at the theatre.

  Outcome. The anniversary reinforced the organ’s role as a central part of the Capri’s cultural identity and programming.

  Source
• 201675th-anniversary exterior restoration appeal

  Australia

  The National Trust of Australia launched or supported an appeal connected with repainting the theatre’s exterior for its 75th anniversary. The effort formed part of the broader preservation of the building’s Art Deco appearance.

  Outcome. The appeal supported conservation and repainting work, helping maintain the venue’s heritage presentation.

  Source

• 2016

  Continuation of authentic Art Deco restorationStrategy

  Background

  Earlier commercial alterations had removed much of the original interior decoration, while the not-for-profit operator sought to recover the building’s historic character.

  Action taken

  Restoration work addressed exterior paint, colours, carpeting, foyer details, lounges and other period-inspired features.

  Aftermath

  The Capri strengthened its identity as a preserved 1941 Art Deco cinema rather than only a film exhibition site.

  Source

• 2012

  Adoption of digital projectionStrategy

  Background

  The heritage venue needed contemporary presentation technology while continuing to operate as a single-screen cinema.

  Action taken

  A digital projection system was installed with assistance from the South Australian Government and Unley Council.

  Aftermath

  The theatre could continue presenting modern film releases alongside its heritage and organ programming.

  Source

• 1983

  Launch of the Capri Wurlitzer programmeProduct launch

  Background

  A 1923 Wurlitzer organ had been transported to Adelaide in 1974 and required years of reconstruction and installation work.

  Action taken

  The organ was installed beside the screen and inaugurated in a concert on 2 April 1983.

  Aftermath

  Organ recitals and organ-supported film sessions became a defining feature of the Capri’s programming.

  Source

• 1978

  Shift to community and organ-centred not-for-profit operationStrategy

  Background

  The Theatre Organ Society of Australia’s South Australian Division purchased the cinema after years of commercial operation and name changes.

  Action taken

  The society relaunched the venue as the Capri Theatre and combined film exhibition with organ recitals, concerts, community use and volunteer-supported operations.

  Aftermath

  The change established the operating model and cultural positioning that continue to distinguish the theatre.

  Source

1. 1Capri Theatreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Capri Theatre official websitecapri.org.au