The Capitol

The Capitol

The Capitol is one of the world’s most iconic cinemas, possessing all the charm, hypnotic charisma and commanding authority that Fellini had thought was lost from the cinema-going experience.

History

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The best cinema that was ever built or ever likely to be built.

- Robin Boyd

The Capitol was originally built in 1924 by celebrated architects Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin. The Chicago-Gothic-style theatre, then known as the ‘Capitol Theatre’, is considered their greatest interior design work. The Capitol was the first extravagant ‘picture palace’ to be built in Victoria. It originally seated over 2137 people through sweeping stalls and circles, and today the updated capacity is still a grand 574.

The theatricality of the movie-going experience is made more spectacular by the unique light displays in the crystalline ceiling, often choreographed to play in time with live orchestral scores during the silent film era. Originally lit by incandescent globes in red, yellow, blue and green, today the ceiling displays are controlled by a digital matrix of hundreds of LED bulbs and data points – to the same utterly mesmerising effect.

The Capitol has been through several iterations of upgrades and modifications since 1924. RMIT University purchased the Theatre in 1999, running lectures during the day and hiring out to festivals on evenings and weekends. By 2014 it had fallen into critical disrepair, and the University closed the Theatre’s doors, readying it for the makeover that you see today. RMIT worked with Six Degrees Architects to restore The Capitol to its former glory and make considerable upgrades to the building - reopening in mid-2019.

Today we’re a community of culture lovers, not only focused on our first love – cinema – but on new media, creative arts, screen technology, design, performance and LED-powered, eyes-open dreams. For forthcoming events at The Capitol presented by RMIT and alongside our partners, please see below.

‘That’ ceiling was created with 33,000 plaster crystals lit by thousands of coloured lights, creating the impression of a crystalline cave of wonder.
Hosting live theatre, music, talks, conferences and lectures
Book The Capitol for your next event, or browse our current and upcoming events.
Theatre
Equipped with a retractable cinema screen for performances and shows, as well as lectern and plug-and-play capabilities for talks, conferences and lectures.
Foyer
Flexible networking, event, and breakout space complete with a Coffee & Candy Bar as well as accessible lift access and toilet facilities.
Salon
Features a built-in digital display screen, Wine Bar for drinks and snacks with optional event catering and cocktail tables.
Lounge
Able to cater small banquets and armchairs in-situ with event catering options and easy access to toilet facilities.
Located at 113 Swanston Street, opposite Melbourne Town Hall

Upcoming events

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2023 Higinbotham Lecture with The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 27 Sep 2023

Please join us to hear from the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP at the 2023 Higinbotham Lecture at the Capitol Theatre on 27 September 2023, where he will talk about 'The Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament'.

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In Absence: Reflections
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 12 Oct 2023

First Nations artist Yhonnie Scarce, Edition Office and NGV Senior Curator of Contemporary Design and Architecture, Ewan McEoin, discuss the 2019 NGV architectural commission 'In Absence' as part of Craft Contemporary 2023.

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Hedley Thomas: The Teacher's Pet Live
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 13 Oct 2023

Thought you knew the story of The Teacher's Pet? Get ready to be shocked, as Hedley Thomas takes you behind the scenes of one of the most intriguing and enduring murder mysteries of our time.

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Spring Fling: Jen Cloher – Everybody's Trying to Find Their Way Home
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 14 Oct 2023
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. Melbourne City

Celebrate music, language, culture and the power of a good yarn with Jen Cloher in a live recording of the podcast 'Everybody's Trying to Find Their Way Home'.

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Spring Fling: Ed Yong – An Immense World
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 14 Oct 2023
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. Melbourne City

Join Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist Ed Yong live at The Capitol for a revelatory conversation on the majesty and mystery of the natural world. This event is part of the Wheeler Centre's annual Spring Fling series.

Headshot of Rebecca Makkai inside an orange and yellow flower design

Spring Fling: Rebecca Makkai Has Some Questions
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 14 Oct 2023
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. Melbourne City

Uncover old secrets with Rebecca Makkai as she discusses her latest novel I Have Some Questions for You, live in Melbourne for Spring Fling.

Headshot of Caroline O’Donoghue inside a blue and pink flower design

Spring Fling: Sentimental Garbage with Caroline O'Donoghue- Live in Melbourne
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 14 Oct 2023
Icon / Small / Location Created with Sketch. Melbourne City

Embrace the power of pop culture with Caroline O'Donoghue as she records a special episode of her hit podcast 'Sentimental Garbage' live in Melbourne.

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Authentic Flamenco Presents Paula Rodríguez
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 20 Oct 2023 - 28 Oct 2023

Authentic Flamenco presents Paula Rodríguez, a renowned flamenco artist performing in a passionate flamenco show brought by the Royal Opera of Madrid & Fever.

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Upside Down People
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 04 Nov 2023

What would the world look like from a different perspective to your own?

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In Conversation with Richard Flanagan
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 09 Nov 2023

Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan discusses his hypnotic and genre-bending new book, Question 7, in a captivating conversation with host Astrid Edwards.

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Gareth Reynolds: LegendGary
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 10 Nov 2023

Gareth Reynolds: internationally touring stand-up comedian with a cat named Jose is making his LegendGary return to AUS this November!

Portrait of Mo Gilligan

Mo Gilligan
Icon / Small / Calendar Created with Sketch. 13 Jul 2024

One of the UK's biggest comedy stars MO GILLIGAN will be bringing his highly anticipated 'In The Moment World Tour 'to Australia and New Zealand in 2024.

The Capitol is available to hire for screenings, performances, talks, conferences, festivals, meetings and private events.

Please get in touch via venues@rmit.edu.au for:

  • Venue booking enquiries
  • General questions
  • Media enquiries
  • Location shoots

Entrances
Enter The Capitol Arcade from Swanston Street or Howie Place. Halfway through the arcade there’s a lift (between the jeweller and the dry cleaner). Take the lift up to The Capitol’s Foyer level. From the Foyer, a separate lift provides access to the Theatre, Salon and Lounge levels inside The Capitol.

 

Parking
There are a number of accessible parking spaces located on Little Collins and surrounding streets. Parking is also available at a number of nearby car parks, including Fed Square car park, which has accessible car spaces on each level.

 

Toilets
Wheelchair accessible amenities are located on the Foyer level. Facilities include a baby change area.

 

Seating
The Capitol Theatre has eight accessible spaces, accompanied by eight companion seats. Four of these spaces are accessible from the Foyer level. The remaining four spaces are accessible from the Salon level (Level 3) via the lift.
Please ask our front of house staff for directions or to accompany you to one of these spaces if assistance is required.

 

Hearing Loop
The Capitol is equipped with a hearing loop throughout the building. Please ask our front of house staff for assistance if required.

Visit

Find us

113 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Enter via Capitol Arcade,
opposite Melbourne Town Hall

Please send post to

The Capitol – RMIT University
GPO Box 2476
Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information