Granada Theatre (Sherbrooke) facts for kids
Théâtre Granada
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Address | 53, rue Wellington Nord Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5A9 |
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Coordinates | 45°24′08″N 71°53′28″W / 45.402222°N 71.891111°W |
Owner | City of Sherbrooke |
Designation | National Historic Site of Canada |
Type | Atmospheric theatre |
Capacity | 1,200 |
Construction | |
Opened | January 18, 1929 |
Architect | Daniel J. Crighton |
The Granada Theatre (French: Théâtre Granada) is a famous theatre located in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. It is a very special building. It was named a National Historic Site of Canada on June 5, 1996. This means it is an important place in Canadian history.
The building was designed in the Spanish Revival style. This style makes it look like old Spanish buildings. The architect was Daniel J. Crighton. The beautiful inside decorations were made by Emmanuel Briffa. He was famous for decorating many theatres.
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History of the Granada Theatre
The Granada Theatre was built in 1928. It was created by United Amusement Corporation Limited. This company was part of Famous Players. The theatre officially opened its doors on January 18, 1929.
What is an Atmospheric Theatre?
The Granada Theatre is an atmospheric theatre. This means its inside was designed to look like an outdoor scene. It often had a ceiling painted like a night sky. There were also fake stars and clouds. This made people feel like they were watching a show under the open sky.
Changes in the 1970s
During the 1970s, many new movie theatres opened. These new cinemas were often built in big shopping centers. They were usually in the suburbs, outside the city center. This made it harder for older downtown theatres like the Granada to attract visitors. Fewer and fewer movies were shown there.
Saving the Theatre
In 1998, the city of Sherbrooke decided to buy the Granada Theatre. They wanted to protect this important building. By buying it, the city made sure the theatre would not be torn down. It could continue to be a special place for shows and events.