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Grand Theatre (London, Ontario)
Grand Theatre 2012-09-01 14-28-42.jpg
Address 471 Richmond Street
London, Ontario
N6A 3E4
Coordinates 42°59′09″N 81°15′04″W / 42.98592°N 81.251063°W / 42.98592; -81.251063
Type Proscenium Arch theatre
Capacity main auditorium (839); The McManus Theatre (150)
Current use Professional and amateur theatre
Opened September 9, 1901
Years active 1901-

The Grand Theatre is a famous theatre in London, Ontario, Canada. It's a place where professional actors perform plays and musicals. The theatre has two main stages. The biggest one is called the Spriet Stage, which can seat 839 people. There's also a smaller stage, The Auburn Theatre, that holds 150 people. The theatre usually has shows from September to May each year.

History of the Grand Theatre

The Grand Theatre first opened its doors on September 9, 1901. A theatre owner named Ambrose Small owned it. He really loved this theatre, even though he owned many others.

The Mystery of Ambrose Small

Ambrose Small disappeared in a very mysterious way on December 2, 1919. That day, he put a lot of money in a bank. He then had lunch with his wife and was never seen again. Weeks later, the night watchman at the Grand Theatre said he saw Mr. Small enter the building. Police tried to find him, but they never could. Some people say his ghost still haunts the theatre today! This mystery was even explored on a TV show called The Girly Ghosthunters in 2005.

From Movies to Live Shows

In 1924, the theatre was sold to a company called Famous Players. They added equipment so movies could be shown there. But in 1945, the theatre was sold again. A group called the London Little Theatre company bought it. This group was made up of amateur actors, meaning they performed for fun, not as a job. They became one of Canada's most active and successful amateur theatre groups.

Becoming a Professional Theatre

In 1971, the Grand Theatre started to become a professional theatre. This was a big change! By 1975, the building needed a lot of work. So, a huge renovation project began, costing five million dollars. It was finished in 1978. During this work, they made the main stage's arch stronger. They also added the smaller McManus Studio, which is now The Auburn Theatre. The architects who redesigned the theatre even won a special award for their work.

The Grand Theatre is a great example of a "Proscenium Arch Theatre." This is a traditional theatre design. It helps send the sound and music from the stage out to the audience. Many famous actors have performed here over the years. Some of them include W.C. Fields, Sarah Bernhardt, Sidney Poitier, Maggie Smith, Sandra Oh, and Leonard Nimoy.

Theatre During COVID-19

In March 2020, the Grand Theatre had to stop its shows. This was because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Then, in June 2020, they announced that all shows for the 2020/2021 season were cancelled. The theatre reopened for performances in the fall of 2021.

The High School Project

The Grand Theatre has a very special program called The High School Project. It's one of a kind in North America! This project gives high school students from London and nearby areas an amazing chance. They get to work with professional directors, choreographers, music directors, and stage managers.

How the Project Works

Every year since 1998, students perform a full musical on the main stage. At first, they planned to switch between musicals, Shakespeare plays, and Canadian plays. But the musical West Side Story was so popular in 1998 that they decided to stick with Broadway musicals from 2000 onwards.

Students don't just act! They also help with many other parts of the show. They assist with stage management, paint the sets, and help build costumes and props.

In 2006, they added a Shakespeare play to the project. This play is performed in the spring in the Auburn Theatre. The musical is still performed in the fall on the MainStage.

Past High School Project Shows

Here are some of the musicals and plays students have performed:

Other Shows and Programs

The Grand Theatre also has other cool programs. The "UnderGrand series" takes place in the Auburn Theatre. These shows are often more unique or experimental. There's also the Playwright's Cabaret. This is where local writers can share short plays they've written. The Auburn Theatre also hosts "Theatre for Young Audiences" (TYA) shows, which are plays made especially for kids and teens.

Artistic Directors of the Grand Theatre

The Artistic Director is like the main creative leader of the theatre. They decide which plays to put on and guide the artistic vision. Here are some of the people who have held this important role:

  • Peter Dearing (1957-1968)
  • Heinar Pillar (1971–1976)
  • William Hutt (1976–1980)
  • Bernard Hopkins (1980–1983)
  • Robin Phillips (1983-1984)
  • Don Shipley (1984-1986)
  • Larry Lillo (1986-1988)
  • Martha Henry (1988–1995)
  • Michael Shamata (1995–1999)
  • Kelly Handerek (1999–2001)
  • Susan Ferley (2001-2016)
  • Dennis Garnhum (2016–2023)
  • Rachel Peake (2023–Present)
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