History
The Capitol Theatre at 811 Main Street in Moncton has a vibrant and storied history.
The site originally contained two theatres – the Empress was constructed in 1908 and the Capitol was built in 1922. Both theatres shared a common entrance off Main Street. In 1926 a fire destroyed the Empress and gutted the Capitol. During that fire, A.H. “Sandy” Lindsay died while battling the blaze. To date he’s the only Moncton firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty.
(It’s rumoured that “Sandy” continues to spend time at the Capitol and can be felt and sometimes heard during late night hours.)
Following that fire, the Empress was completely rebuilt and the Capitol refurbished. Both re-opened in less than seven months after the fire.
Throughout the years the Capitol has been a hub for community activity. Live Vaudeville performances were commonplace at 5 cents a show. Then silent movies became the rage that kept audiences returning week after week. Eventually live performances gave way to talkies and then colour films. By the 60’s the Capitol operated as just a movie theatre until the late 1980’s when Famous Players shut down and put the building up for sale.
Thanks to the foresight and vision of our municipal leaders in the early 1990s, the Capitol and the adjoining Empress were purchased by the City of Moncton with plans to convert it back to a regional performing arts center. It wasn’t until a team of restoration experts began pealing back the layers did anyone really know what existed under multiple coats of paint and years of wear and tear. Once it was discovered what the Capitol really offered, that’s when the dedicated team leading the restoration was formed to return the Capitol to its original 1922 splendor, while ensuring the latest technical advances.
The Capitol opened its doors to the public in the fall of 1993 with the Theatre New Brunswick world premier of Lucien’s Labour Lost by Marshall Button. Audiences were wowed by the beauty of the theatre while raving about the centers exceptional acoustics.
During the last 22 years, hundreds of stars have delivered memorable performances on the Capitol stage including Leonard Cohen, The Irish Rovers, Theatre NB, Sarah MacLachlan, The Trews, Blue Rodeo, Serena Ryder, Ballet Jörgen, Daniel Lanois, Great Big Sea, the Barenaked Ladies - just to name a few.
The Capitol’s plush 780-seat auditorium can be booked for various functions and offers state-of-the-art technical capability. Meeting space is also available on the second level in the Empress and also in the Pearce Lounge (Balcony Lounge).
The Empress Theatre has been very popular for taping television specials over the years: CBC’s Double Etoiles, T.F.O.’s Boîte à Chansons and the Capitol’s very own Late Night Live series, Songwriters Circle and the Ligue d’improvisation acadienne. With its cabaret style seating, this black box theatre provides an excellent informal space to take in an intimate performance.
Over the last quarter of a century the Capitol went from an old abandoned movie theatre to one of the most vibrant and dynamic cultural centers in Atlantic Canada. We strive to offer you the best of local, national and international programming available anywhere and, to present it in a building like no other. It’s the best of both worlds.
Welcome to the Capitol – Your ticket to the world!
Download the 20th anniversary brochure here
The site originally contained two theatres – the Empress was constructed in 1908 and the Capitol was built in 1922. Both theatres shared a common entrance off Main Street. In 1926 a fire destroyed the Empress and gutted the Capitol. During that fire, A.H. “Sandy” Lindsay died while battling the blaze. To date he’s the only Moncton firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty.
(It’s rumoured that “Sandy” continues to spend time at the Capitol and can be felt and sometimes heard during late night hours.)
Following that fire, the Empress was completely rebuilt and the Capitol refurbished. Both re-opened in less than seven months after the fire.
Throughout the years the Capitol has been a hub for community activity. Live Vaudeville performances were commonplace at 5 cents a show. Then silent movies became the rage that kept audiences returning week after week. Eventually live performances gave way to talkies and then colour films. By the 60’s the Capitol operated as just a movie theatre until the late 1980’s when Famous Players shut down and put the building up for sale.
Thanks to the foresight and vision of our municipal leaders in the early 1990s, the Capitol and the adjoining Empress were purchased by the City of Moncton with plans to convert it back to a regional performing arts center. It wasn’t until a team of restoration experts began pealing back the layers did anyone really know what existed under multiple coats of paint and years of wear and tear. Once it was discovered what the Capitol really offered, that’s when the dedicated team leading the restoration was formed to return the Capitol to its original 1922 splendor, while ensuring the latest technical advances.
The Capitol opened its doors to the public in the fall of 1993 with the Theatre New Brunswick world premier of Lucien’s Labour Lost by Marshall Button. Audiences were wowed by the beauty of the theatre while raving about the centers exceptional acoustics.
During the last 22 years, hundreds of stars have delivered memorable performances on the Capitol stage including Leonard Cohen, The Irish Rovers, Theatre NB, Sarah MacLachlan, The Trews, Blue Rodeo, Serena Ryder, Ballet Jörgen, Daniel Lanois, Great Big Sea, the Barenaked Ladies - just to name a few.
The Capitol’s plush 780-seat auditorium can be booked for various functions and offers state-of-the-art technical capability. Meeting space is also available on the second level in the Empress and also in the Pearce Lounge (Balcony Lounge).
The Empress Theatre has been very popular for taping television specials over the years: CBC’s Double Etoiles, T.F.O.’s Boîte à Chansons and the Capitol’s very own Late Night Live series, Songwriters Circle and the Ligue d’improvisation acadienne. With its cabaret style seating, this black box theatre provides an excellent informal space to take in an intimate performance.
Over the last quarter of a century the Capitol went from an old abandoned movie theatre to one of the most vibrant and dynamic cultural centers in Atlantic Canada. We strive to offer you the best of local, national and international programming available anywhere and, to present it in a building like no other. It’s the best of both worlds.
Welcome to the Capitol – Your ticket to the world!
Download the 20th anniversary brochure here