Ed Mirvish Theatre

Ed Mirvish Theatre

Mirvish Productions is the premier name in Toronto Theatre, bringing musicals, dramas, comedies and more to the theatre stage for over 50 years. The Ed Mirvish Theatre began its life in 1920 as a combination vaudeville and motion picture theatre in the Pantages theatre circuit. With its original 3373 seats, it was the largest cinema in Canada and, with its lavish interior – designed by the great theatre architect Thomas Lamb – the most elegant. With the collapse of the Pantages circuit, the Pantages name came off the marquees of almost all the theatres. In 1930, the Toronto Pantages was renamed “The Imperial” and became exclusively a cinema – no more live vaudeville.

Management and control were resumed by Famous Players, which retained ownership for more than 50 years.In January, 2008, the theatre was purchased – along with other Clear Channel (now known as Live Nation) properties in the U.S. and Canada. Mirvish Productions completed the purchase of both the Canon and the Panasonic theatres from Key Brand on August 26, 2008. After looking for a suitable way to honour his father, David Mirvish officially renamed the iconic building The Ed Mirvish Theatre on December 6, 2011.

• Please arrive early. For safety and in order to minimize distractions to the performers and to your fellow audience members, latecomers will not be seated until a suitable break.
• Participate in the performance by sharing your laughter, tears and applause.
• Respect the shared space. Refrain from talking (even whispering) or any activity that disrupts the performance.
• Visit the restroom before the show begins or at intermission. If you must exit the auditorium during the performance, an usher will ask you to wait for an appropriate break in the action.
• Pay attention to all announcements and respect the rules of the theatre; they are designed with your safety and enjoyment in mind.
• Sit in your assigned seat.
• Don’t bring any outside food or drink into the theatre. A variety of snacks and drinks are available for purchase on site. (The only exception is water. If you have a refillable water bottle, you are welcome to bring it with you.)
• Turn off all electronic devices, including cell phones, for the entire duration of the performance.
• Photography and video taping are strictly prohibited during the performance.
• Remember the important role of the audience – the actors need your energy and your attention to make their performances the best they can be!
• Commit to the journey the show takes you on, and allow the whole of the performance, first moment to last, to be a time of inward reflection. Hold onto, try to remember, your thoughts and opinions so that you can share them in a post-show discussion with the rest of your group.

B C G Toronto Guide © Simon Newbound