Overview
Bendigo’s popular music, theatre and performance venue hosts over 200 performances of opera, drama, orchestras, popular music and many exhibitions each year.
The Capital is a grand, National Trust-listed, Victorian era building with ornately decorated interiors. It was built with gold rush wealth as a Masonic Hall, although these days it's theatre-lovers who enter through its towering Corinthian columns.
Take your seat in the magnificent first-floor Capital Theatre auditorium for a performance by a local and international act, including Australian popular musicians, touring orchestras, divas and quartets, comedy and cabaret, kids’ entertainers, dance, theatre and spectacle.
If you are visiting for a smaller concert, more intimate performance or event, head downstairs to the elegant Banquet Room or Bendigo Bank theatre.
Booking tickets
Purchase tickets for shows at The Capital:
- via our What’s On calendar
- by phone 03 5434 6100
- at our Box Office on 50 View Street Bendigo.
To retrieve or reprint your etickets - login to your gotix account
Box Office opening hours
Our Box Office at 50 View Street is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and one hour prior to performances.
The Shades Bar
The upstairs Shades Bar opens 1 hour prior to performances.
Accessing The Capital
Wheelchair seating
The Capital has wheelchair access seating available. To book these seats contact our Box Office. Please book early to obtain the best available spaces.
Hearing aid loop
A section of our theatre is equipped with a hearing loop sound system for use by people with hearing aids.
Companion Card
The Capital accepts the Companion Card. Carers and attendants accompanying cardholders receive free entry to shows and events. A Companion Card must be presented when booking. Contact our Box Office for details.
History of The Capital building
The National Trust-listed building now known as The Capital was originally the Sandhurst Masonic Hall.
The hall was designed by two prominent Freemasons, W.C. Vahland and Robert Getzschmann. The foundation stone for the building was laid on 24 June 1873. When built, this space was the largest hall in Victoria apart from the Melbourne Town Hall.
The main building frontage extends 60 metres along View Street. As you climb the bluestone steps look up at the façade rising 20 metres above the street. Six 10-metre Corinthian-style pillars are decorated with an ornate frieze and cornices, and topped with pediments with decorative moulded coping. The building is topped with a large triangular pediment.
The Capital Theatre was closed in the 1970s after almost a century of staging opera, drama, dance and cinema. In late 1987, in response to a community campaign to save the theatre, 3 of the 5 Bendigo municipalities – Marong, Strathfieldsaye and Eaglehawk – purchased the building from the Masons. With the financial support of State and Local Government, private and public subscriptions and overwhelming community support, renovations, costing around $6 million, started in 1989 and the building was officially reopened by the former Premier, Mrs. Joan Kirner on 26 April 1991.
Hiring The Capital
Six venues suited to your meeting, workshop, conference, performance or special event.
More about Hiring The CapitalGetting married at The Capital
A favourite venue for nuptials, The Capital hosts weddings large and small.
More about Getting married at The CapitalGetting to The Capital
The Capital is located in the heart of the View Street Precinct.
More about Getting to The CapitalFacility
Venue Booking
Please contact our Bookings Coordinator on 03 5434 6100 for more information about hiring The Capital.
Dixit Dominus
Performed by Melbourne Chamber Orchestra & Polyphonic Voices
A feast for lovers of Handel and an
Read morePlease note these performances have been postponed:
New dates;
Read moreThey’ve sold more than one hundred million albums world-wide and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Fleetwood Mac’s songs are part
Read moreTwo of Australia’s most applauded performers, Damien Leith & Darren Coggan, come together to celebrate the songbook of the most inspiring songw
Read moreFrom the producers of Prada’s Priscillas comes Les Divas: An all-male revue.
Read moreFresh from his acclaimed starring role as Johnny Cash in the January 2020 Melbourne season of Legends In Concert Las Vegas, Daniel Thompson returns
Read morePlease note due to the statewide lockdown in Victoria, this performance will be postponed and will now take place on Saturday 21 August.
Read moreHighly acclaimed Australian country music artist Adam Harvey announces the release of his new single "Ramblin' Fever” and the much anticip
Read moreOn sale Tuesday 11 May, 9am
Read moreAmphibian
By Windmill Theatre Company
Read more
Dami Im brings her first ever solo tour for a special and intimate evening of Piano, Songs & Stories.
Read moreA Ten Tonne Sparrow production
Read more
Margaret Fulton - The Musical
Produced by Jally Entertainment
Read more
COVID19 forced Noble off the road for the first time in years. He’s chomping at the bit, he’s raring to go.
Read moreIn 2018 a co-founding member of INXS, Andrew Farriss surprised Jon by entering the band room after not seeing each other in 15 years to say, “That
Read moreHugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project, has partnered with elite sports teams, 1000+ schools and 500+ workplaces - teaching simple
Read moreIt’s taken 30 years and it’s definitely been worth the wait.
Read moreA COMEDIAN AND AN OPERA SINGER’S WORLDS COLLIDE
Read more“Do I swear to tell the whole truth? No, but I'll swear while telling the partial truth. And trust me, it's a lot more fun that way.
Read moreThe Australian Tenors’ versatility spans all genres of the beautiful tenor repertoire.
Read moreRobot Song
Presented by Arena Theatre Company and Bendigo Venues & Events
When eleven-year-old Juniper May receives a petit
Read morePlease note due to the statewide lockdown in Victoria, this performance will be postponed and will now take place on Saturday 9 October.
Read moreWith their retro hits, cherry lips and high kicks, Rewind 80’s take the stage performing tunes from one of music’s most iconic eras: the sensationa
Read moreJohn Bell and pianist Simon Tedeschi with special guest, Blazey Best take audiences back to the brilliance and bedazzlement of the Jazz Age with th
Read moreFresh from celebrating 10 years and over 3000 shows headlining on the Las Vegas strip, the Australian Bee Gees Show will be heading Down Under for
Read moreKate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky
Kate Ceberano and Paul Grabowsky bring their new duo recording ‘Tryst’ to Bendigo.
Read morePlease note due to the Government restrictions to minimise the spread of COVID-19, this performance has been postponed to Friday 20 August
Read moreAfter a well-earned break, Australia’s largest scale Pink Floyd concept act Echoes of Pink Floyd are pleased to announce their all-new show for 202
Read moreOn sale Thursday 13 May, 10am
Read morePlease note this performance was postponed from Saturday July 10 to Friday September 17.
Read more