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The Weekend Sun
Recapturing cinema history The Capitol Cinema was the heart of Te Puke in the 1960s. Photo: Tauranga Library
The more things change, the more they stay A major restoration job 12 years ago brought the Capitol the same. You could certainly say that for Te Cinema back into the Te Puke Puke’s Capitol Cinema and the streetscape community’s heart, after being along Te Puke’s Jellicoe Street. closed for 22 years. Photo: Bruce Barnard But this was not always the case with the cinema closed and neglected for 22 years. In 2000, the building, which had been used for everything from storing kiwifruit bins to discount sales, was bought by Ross and Evelyn Trebilco, who set about returning it to its original condition and purpose. After starting off as a hall in 1917, the venue screened its first talking movie in April 1930. By August, the building was officially called Capitol Theatre and so began the grand tradition that the Trebilco’s set about restoring. Working with a heritage architect, the Trebilco’s began putting everything back together from the floor up, including repainting the Capitol Cinema in exactly the right colours and typeface. The long list of work they needed to do on the neglected building included putting in a new roof and ceiling, fixing the floor, installing new seats, cinema screen and projector. A mural of the renowned Pink and White Terraces, which dates from the cinema’s early years, has been lovingly restored in the foyer. Ross says while it could have been cheaper to build a new theatre, they would not have had the satisfaction of restoring an icon of the area. From hosting the 1945 Victory in Japan Day Ball, through holding many community events and debutante balls, the cinema has long been close to the heart of Te Puke. Ross says they are trying to continue this by upgrading and improving cinema technology. By Hamish Carter