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QO
06
Better Theatres Section
April 12, 1930
MORE than one theatre has been built in belief that the architectural atmosphere of a theatre has almost as much entertainment value as the show itself. But perhaps few, if any, have been designed as dramatically as the latest member of the G-B Theatres’ chain in New England.
The Capitol, which was just recently opened in Athol, Mass., has as its dominating decorative motif, a period in the history of Athol itself. The 1,700 seats of the auditorium, all on one floor, are enclosed by a solid four-wall mural (broken only by the stage) depicting the Athol of three or four decades ago. The Capitol is thus a unique experiment in the employment of the American scene under the Republic, as the basis of a “period” design. The architects were Mowll & Rand of Boston.
The lobby is a replica of a covered bridge which is a landmark in Athol. There is the pitch roof and sturdy oak rafters, the suspension timbers on each side, the great hewn longitudinal timbers, the wide planking under foot. Through the side timbers on each side are panorama paintings of the countryside. The illusion is striking. The scenes are lighted from concealed “daylight” fixtures under the overhanging
An early American village as the motif of a modern theatre's design
eaves of the bridge, thus throwing the diffused light down from a slant onto the canvas. The effect is high-noon sunlight.
O NE enters the auditorium from the lobby through a rustic entrance, true to the type of the covered bridge. Looking back at the entrance from inside the theatre one sees an exact replica of the bridge entrance. Here there is a “faded” sign: “Walk your horses or pay a $3 fine.”
The auditorium, presenting panorama
The photographs on this page show the auditorium of the Capitol and its “local color” decorations. The view above shows the rear wall, that below shows the right.
of the old town of Athol, has proved an interesting “show.” The older people gaze at its walls, picking out various houses and buildings that really did exist. The artist spent much time delving into history of the town to get exact replicas of buildings no longer extant, and spent much time in the countryside sketching landscapes later executed on the walls. The old fire station, town hall, churches, grist mill and farms, are included in the landscapes, with the rolling Western hills in the background. The sky-like ceiling becomes starlit when the house lights are lowered.
The Capitol has complete modern equipment, for the comfort of patrons, the presentation of talking motion pictures and the production of stage shows. Electrical equipment includes provision for color effects. The sound equipment is Western Electric. Both architecture and equipment provides for wide film pictures.
The theatre proper is located behind buildings which abut on the street, the foyer extending through a narrow strip between stores, to the street, where there is an ornamental lobby, ticket booth and canopy.
The Capitol is the 22d G-B theatre.