Ready to be transported back in time? The Ed Mirvish Theatre stands before you, a landmark with stories etched into its very walls. Prepare to uncover the secrets of this iconic Toronto venue.
The Ed Mirvish Theatre has been a cornerstone of Toronto’s entertainment scene for over a century. It is located near Yonge Dundas Square. The theatre has approximately 2300 seats across two levels. You can enter at 263 Yonge Street or 244 Victoria Street.
Originally, this grand building opened as the Pantages Theatre in 1920. Alexander Pantages, a theatre magnate, commissioned Thomas W Lamb to design it. Lamb was a renowned architect. Back then, it was the largest cinema in Canada, boasting 3373 seats. Imagine the buzz as vaudeville acts and motion pictures filled this space.
However, Pantages’s success was short-lived. In 1929, a scandal forced him to sell his assets. Famous Players took control in 1930. The theatre was renamed the Imperial Theatre. For over four decades, it screened movies. The final film before renovations? The Godfather.
In 1972, the Imperial Theatre underwent a dramatic transformation. It was divided into six separate cinemas. Toronto architect Mandel Sprachman managed the design. Much of the interior was retained. The gold leaf and faux marble balustrades were painted over with bolder colours. The Yonge Street façade was replaced with a new aluminum-paneled front signage without a canopy. In 1973, Mayor David Crombie reopened the venue as the Imperial Six.
But the story doesn’t end there. The Imperial Six was located on three separate lots with different owners. In 1986, Famous Players accidentally let their lease expire on a portion of the property. Cineplex Odeon, their main rival, seized the opportunity. They took control of part of the building. This led to a tumultuous period.
Cineplex Odeon planned to create a single screen cinema. In December 1987, they opened the Pantages Cinema. The first film? Wall Street. Meanwhile, Famous Players continued to run movies in their portion of the venue.
In August 1988, Famous Players sold their portion to Cineplex Odeon. The last film to play there was Die Hard. Cineplex then renovated the building for live theatre. The original Pantages Theatre name was restored in 1989.
Garth Drabinsky, ousted from Cineplex Odeon, formed Livent. He restored the theatre to its original 1920s glory. On September 20, 1989, the theatre reopened with The Phantom of the Opera. The show ran for over a decade.
Financial troubles later forced Livent to sell the Pantages Theatre. Clear Channel Entertainment purchased it in 1999. In 2001, Mirvish Productions took over management. It became known as the Canon Theatre.
In 2008, Mirvish Productions bought the theatre outright. On December 6, 2011, it was renamed the Ed Mirvish Theatre in honour of Ed Mirvish. In 2021, the name was amended to the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre as part of a naming rights agreement with the Canadian Automobile Association.
Today, the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre stands as a testament to Toronto’s vibrant arts scene. It’s a designated heritage property. This designation preserves its original facades and exterior. From vaudeville to movies to live theatre, it has seen it all. The Ed Mirvish Theatre continues to entertain and inspire audiences.