Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre is located in central Singapore, at the corner of Stamford Road and North Bridge Road, opposite St Andrew’s Cathedral. The theatre building is set back from the roads, which are fronted by an L-shaped building housing apartments and shops. The Capitol Theatre was constructed by M.A. Namazie, and opened in 1930. It operated primarily as a cinema, seating up to 1,600 spectators. It was also equipped with a stage for theatrical productions. During World War II, the building was requisited first by the British Forces, and then by the Japanese. After the war, the Shaw Organisation bought the theatre and adjoining buildings. The Shaw Organisation renovated the theatre in 1948–1949, and continued its use as a cinema and stage for live productions. The building was acquired by the government of Singapore in 1987, and leased back to the Shaw Organisation. And then it was sold to a joint-venture enterprise, with the theatre gazetted for conservation. The renovated theatre re-opened in 2015 with the production Singapora: The Musical.