The main Theatre (©AAH/Alan Wright)
The Capitol theatre in Horsham re-opens later this month, following the completion of an extensive refurbishment. The venue, which has been closed since January, opens its doors in time for the festive pantomime, Dick Whittington, on Sunday 29 November.
Horsham District Council committed £10.2m to the project, with Willmott Dixon Interiors contracted to carry out the theatre’s first major upgrade in more than 20 years. AAH visited on 13 October, while finishing touches were still being made. Film posters were waiting to be hung on the walls, Firebird’s beer pumps were yet to be coupled to barrels, and the salted popcorn wasn’t yet swirling in the all-new bar display. However, all major work had been completed on schedule.
This includes new seating in the main theatre and cinema, upgraded audio-visual facilities, expanded toilet provision and a new Changing Places facility. Behind the scenes, essential upgrades have been carried out to the plumbing and heating infrastructure, including the replacement of boilers to improve energy efficiency.
The walls of the main theatre have been given a new colour scheme, with a blend of four dark greens complemented by gold accents to replace what was a predominantly purple theme. Dark red seats (built by theatre specialists Kirwin & Simpson) maintain the classic velvet and wood aesthetics of a traditional auditorium. Thanks largely to public feedback, there’s additional legroom, while seat numbers on back supports aid with navigation. An entire row has been removed in order to provide more accessible seating, yet capacity has been slightly increased by utilising space higher up in the stalls.
Matthew Effemey, Venue & Productions Manager, said: ‘The Capitol has a beautiful proscenium arch stage and the refurbishment complements these traditional features. We’ve maximised space to not only provide people with more legroom, but also to offer more seating for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility, with two extra seats also available in the rear stalls, next to the lift. We’re delighted with changes to the lighting too. New spot lighting has been installed on steps to guide people safely up the stairs, while the letters on the end of rows are now lit to help people find their seat. Also, new LED installations allow us to colour code the house lights to suit a theatrical production.’
The Ritz (©AAH/Alan Wright)
ROXY & RITZ
An extensive public consultation prior to the project revealed that many visitors wanted seats with cup-holders. While the Council and the Capitol team have resisted such temptation in the theatre for the sake of tradition, new seats in the two cinemas now come with cup-holders.
What used to be Screen 1 is now called the Roxy. Although mainly used as a cinema, it can also be hired for presentations, staff training and other functions. In the Roxy, comfortable grey seats have been introduced, while new sound-proofing at the rear eliminates noise transference from the main theatre, which was occasionally an issue for those seated on the back row of Screen 1. The central aisle has been consigned to history, with cinema-goers now able to use two side aisles instead, with an increase in the number of accessible seats here too. Screen 2 – the smaller screen on the ground floor, closest to the bar – has been renamed the Ritz, a nod to the venue’s history, as it was called The Ritz Cinema from 1936 – 67. It now has navy blue seats with cup-holders, with other stylish touches including embroidered seat numbers.
Tracey Grubb, Marketing Officer, said: ‘We hope people appreciate not just the comfort and style of the new seating and layouts, but also the major changes that have been made behind the scenes. A significant proportion of the budget has been spent on modernising heating and cooling systems throughout the building, while essential repairs have been made to sections of the roof. Last summer, we introduced state-of-the-art 4K projectors. Coupled with an upgrade of the cinema screen surfaces and new sound-proofing, this has made a huge difference to the cinematic experience and I know our technical supervisor is delighted with the sound and visual dynamics.’
Lauren Fielding, Marketing Officer, at the new Capitol bar (©AAH/Alan Wright)
CHANGING PLACES
Feedback from visitors and stakeholders also highlighted the need for enhanced toilet facilities to reduce queueing times. So, new cubicles have been added on both the ground and first floor, while a Changing Places toilet has been created for those with limited mobility. This facility, the first in Horsham, has been met with approval by Maria Cook, Chair of Autism Support Crawley, who was among the first to visit the refurbished venue.
Elsewhere, the Studio has only been repainted, although there have been more significant alterations to the downstairs bar area. The bar has been extended to create an extra service point, and there’s room too for an integrated popcorn display. The surrounding area also benefits from new seating and extra relaxation space.
Cllr Tony Frankland, HDC Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Green Spaces, said: ‘This is a hugely exciting moment for us, ensuring that The Capitol is ready to enter a bold and vibrant new era. I am particularly proud of the emphasis we have placed on accessibility and inclusion. The new facilities and improved layout will help ensure that disabled visitors can enjoy our theatre and cinema more easily and comfortably, alongside their friends and family.’
Further information: For tickets to Dick Whittington and details of other shows scheduled for 2027, visit: thecapitolhorsham.com/whats-on/
First published on 1 November 2026 in AAH Magazine.
Words: Ben Morris/Photos: Alan Wright