THE CAPRI Theatre in Goodwood has a special place in the hearts of cinema lovers.
The elegant art deco cinema, which opened as the New Goodwood Star Theatre, recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Rob Jordan is manager of the theatre, which runs almost entirely on volunteer labour, and said there are still many locals who remember when it opened.
“At the 75th birthday celebrations one of the ladies in the audience came to the opening in 1941. It was incredible to have her there,” he said.
“Another gentleman came along and he remembered watching the Capri being built. When it opened him and his brother would ride their bikes between the Capri and the Vogue Theatre in Kingswood bringing news reels and film across from one to the other,” he said.
Now Rob said the theatre thrives as a venue for fundraising screenings. “It is swarming with families during the school holidays and is a destination for locals looking to catch the latest movies with a glass of red and some Haigh’s Chocolates.”
All profits are invested back into the restoration of the heritage-listed building and the preservation of the Wurlitzer theatre organ that is played before certain sessions and for concerts.
More than 150 volunteers donate their time to the cinema – from the candy bar and ticket box to helping man the bar and with restoration projects.
“But we’ve become so busy we need more volunteers,” Rob said. “Full training is provided, so all you need to bring is your smile.”
All Capri volunteers get two free tickets to all general movie sessions as well as discounts on candy bar items.
Capri facts
- On the Capri’s opening night there was a double feature: Florian, starring Robert Young and Helen Gilbert, and Dr Kildare Goes Home, starring Lew Ayres and Lionel Barrymore.
- In 1978 it was bought by the Theatre Organ Society of Australia (SA Division).
- In 2012, the cinema upgraded by buying a brand new digital film projector.
- 08 8272-1177, www.capri.org.au
