Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre began as a cinema in Didsbury, Manchester, opening in 1931. A serious fire in April 1932 forced it to close for repairs until August 1933. Designed for live shows, it hosted occasional pantomimes and amateur productions. In 1956 it became a television studio for ABC Weekend TV, producing programmes like Opportunity Knocks and Police Surgeon. After the merger that created Thames Television, the studios were leased to Yorkshire Television in 1967. The building later became part of Manchester Polytechnic in 1970, serving as a theatre and television school. Renamed the Horniman Theatre, it staged student performances, including early appearances by actors Julie Walters, Bernard Hill, and David Threlfall. The theatre reverted to its original name in 1987 as the polytechnic gained university status. By 1997 the building was sold for redevelopment and demolished to make way for flats. The School of Theatre relocated to the All Saints campus on Oxford Road, where a new Capitol Theatre now stands as a 140-seat studio space. The original site is marked by a blue plaque commemorating its television history.