University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 1998 The aC pitol: its producer, director, auteurs and given circumstances : an epic of a "lucky" theatre Lynne Dent University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Dent, Lynne, The aC pitol: its producer, director, auteurs and given circumstances : an epic of a "lucky" theatre, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, , University of Wollongong, 1998. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/2114 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact Manager Repository Services: [email protected]. The Capitol: Its Producer, Director, Auteurs and Given Circumstances: An epic of a "lucky" theatre. A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree MA (HONS) from UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by LYNNE DENT BA (HONS) FACULTY OF CREATIVE ARTS 1998 Abstract Sydney's Capitol theatre stands on the oldest site on which there has been theatrical activity. It is significant for its historic architecture, distinctive interior and place in popular entertainment. Using a theatre-based analogy, this study sought to explore the history of the site, building and theatres focussing on the involvement of the City Council, Chief Secretary's Department and its Lessees, from the height of its popularity to its loss of public favour and through changing circumstances. Research was undertaken in the archives of Sydney City Council, Department of Local Government and Cooperatives and National Trust of Australia, as well as newspaper sources held by many libraries. Secondary sources included texts of authorities in the areas of architecture, theatre, cinema, related government legislation and publications of the Australian Theatre Historical Society (now the Australian Cinema and Theatre Society). In addition, a number of people involved in the modem restoration work and who worked in the building gave talks at seminars and openings, interviews to the author and wrote letters containing more invaluable information. The intention was to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in a number of technical, theatrical, administrative and historic elements of this important theatre and, where possible, link it to the social life of the city's population within the arbitrary period from 1860s to 1983. The only information that remained constant and accessible was that related to the administrative bodies. Contrary to initial expectations, findings show administrative incompetence by its owner, State authorities' failure to enforce government regulations and serious manipulation by its longest lessee, while others bore the brunt of neglect. The Capitol was lucky' to have survived long enough to be restored and extended. c^r^er- p*<Ker *r*A H^ Street Acknowledgments Acknowledgment is due to all the people who willingly assisted in this research and to whom I am very grateful. The following is generally in chronological order: My immediate and extended family for their interest, encouragement, 'pushing', patience, funding, collection of information and help in crises, as well as for their memories. Special thanks to Marie Lester, Marie Haastrup and especially my husband John. Dr. Ian McGrath for his supervision, encouragement, extreme patience and friendship. His knowledge of vital information on the theatre industry and technology was indispensable. The students of Theatre Technology THEA 106 in 1993 for their research on the Capitol. A considerable amount of prime source information which they found, has not been duplicated elsewhere. The work of Rosanna Caltabiano, Gareth Gillham, Nerida Noon and Martin Vella deserve special mention. Many Librarians at the Library of the University of Wollongong, including Catriona McGuirk, Chrissy Ralston and Lynne Wright. The former President, Kevin Cork,1 Archivist, Les Tod, Secretary, Mark Love, Patron, Professor Ross Thome, Ian Hanson, Bob Harper and member Munay (whose last name I failed to record) of the Australian Theatre Historical Society (ATHS) for their constant encouragement, information and assistance,. The society has now changed its name to the 'Australian Cinema and Theatre Society, Inc', but has retained the title, Kino, for its journal. Sadly, gratitude must be expressed posthumously for his interest and encouragement. Kevin was President during this work. He resigned to complete his MA (Hons) Degree (by research) in Humanities at the University of Western Sydney (Nepean) and had completed the second draft of his PhD thesis at the time of his death in March this year (1998). 11 The Public Information Officer, Catharine Ambroz and Archivist, Gail Hesselman of the National Trust of Australia (NSW). The Librarians of the State and Mitchell Libraries. The Archivists of the State Archives at Kingswood. The Department of Local Government and Cooperatives, the Building Branch Manager, John Christopher and Garry Pearce (who was interested in, supervised and aided my research with the department), as well as the Government Architect, Serge Fijac, and other members of staff involved with the Capitol and theatres generally. Especially considering the difficulties involved with consulting its staff and reading the files, this Branch made its records readily available at its own offices, which was much easier than it would have been if the files remained in the State Archives at Kingswood and read on Saturdays. Special thanks must go to the staff of the Sydney City Council Archives, Manager, Mark Stevens, Archivists, Angela McGing and Renato Perdon, and Souphaphone Sounthorn. Their interest and help can never be forgotten and was integral to this work. Of all the Council departments, the staff of this one deserves the highest respect for their own work in historical research, publications and exhibitions, and their willing encouragement to other researchers and historians. The Staff at the Denis Wolanski Library at the Sydney Opera House. Mark St. Leon. Mervyn and Emily King. Geoff Geeves. Harry M. Miller. iii Graeme Macey of Lawrence Nield and Associates Pty. Ltd. Tim Tait of Ipoh Garden Developments (Aust.) Pty. Ltd. Mary Knaggs of the Heritage Council. Wollongong City Library. Martin de Boer, Manager of the Natural Gas Company, Illawarra Branch. Steven Ellis, Archivist of Integral Energy. The staff of Wollongong City Library. Don Harper. Janet Binns Acknowledgment is given to the valuable, previous research undertaken by Professor Ross Thome, Kevin Cork and Les Tod, Ian Hanson, James Semple Kerr, Kate Blackburn, Lawrence Nield and Associates, Blair Zemski and Associates, Shirley Fitzgerald, Rosemary Bloomham, Rice Daubney, Diane Collins and Ina Bertrand, John Tulloch. Fortunately, most of the people approached for this research, were willing to help. Some mistakenly doubted they would be of assistance, while others, whose initial doubts that I would find archive records dry and lack interest, had to be convinced otherwise. There are many gaps in this study, brought about by the impossibility to uncover all sources of information in the time available; lack of specialised knowledge on my part, especially in areas like architecture, engineering, law and real estate; the absence of people, who could provide an oral history of the venue. Of the lessees, I thank Harry M. Miller for being willing to speak with me. Others could not be contacted and some others did not respond to my enquiries. iv This research has been very interesting and by the nature of the prime sources studied in detail, it has possibly taken longer than would normally be expected. Investigative study has challenged many of the assumptions raised during the research. A few assumptions were realised, while others were debunked. It has also been an interesting exercise trying to trace the sources of rumours about the building and to attempt to find additional material about anecdotal reports of certain elements or events, reported to have taken place in relation to the theatre. Neither of these exercises was always successful. It was necessary to overcome the confusion created by references to other Hippodromes in Sydney. The Hippodrome in the Haymarket that is mentioned by Margaret Williams and referred to by Eric Irvin, predates the building on the Capitol site and had no link to either the Hippodrome or the Capitol.2 Whereas, the Hippodrome File held by the New South Wales Archives was established in Goulburn Street. It was used to show the first explicit sex films in Sydney during the 1970s and never complied with the regulations of the Theatre and Public Halls Act of 1908 or was licensed.3 Margaret Williams, Australia on the Popular Stage: 1829 - 1929: an historical entertainment in six acts (Melbourne: Oxford UP, 1983) 195-8, 202; Eric Irvin, Australian Melodrama: eighty years of popular theatre (Sydney: Hale and Iremonger, 1981) 87. Archive staff did not know the address of this Hippodrome and said the only way to know was to view the file, which involved unnecessary travel, time and expense. New South Wales State Archives (Kingswood): 80/1538 Parts A and B, Shelf Location 17/3545: Hippodrome. Sydney; "Sex comes to the Citadel." Sun 3 Jul. 1974: [n.p.]. Table of Contents Introduction 1 The Haymarket: A Social Hub 18 Belmore Markets: The Theatre's "Infancy" 32 Hippodrome: The "Juvenile" Aladdin's Palace 51 Hippodrome - An Unfulfilled Promise 73 A Time of Change: The "Engenue" Period 90 The Capitol: "Magnificent Shrine of the Silent Art" 112 A