Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage facts for kids
Theatre in 2007
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Former names | Stanley Theatre Stanley Theatre du Maurier Stage |
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Location | 2750 Granville Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6H 3J3 |
Owner | Arts Club Theatre Company (formerly owned by Famous Players) |
Type | Live theatre (former movie palace) |
Capacity | 650 (formerly 1,216) |
Construction | |
Opened | December 15, 1930 |
Closed | September 21, 1991 |
Reopened | October 28, 1998 |
The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage is a famous theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia. It's located at 12th Avenue and Granville Street. This theatre is the main stage for the Arts Club Theatre Company. The Stanley first opened in December 1930. Back then, it was a movie theatre. It showed movies for over sixty years.
However, fewer people came to watch movies. So, the theatre closed in 1991. For several years, there were plans to turn it into shops. But instead, the Stanley was fixed up as a stage theatre. This happened between 1997 and 1998. It was then recognized as a special heritage building.
Today, the Stanley hosts many amazing shows. These include classic plays and big Broadway musicals. Some famous shows have been Swing!, My Fair Lady, and Miss Saigon. The theatre needed a lot of money to pay for its repairs. It also needed help with its mortgage. At one point, its sponsor, du Maurier, had to stop helping. This was because of new rules about tobacco advertising. But in 2005, a new sponsor stepped in. Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company helped out. That's when the theatre's name changed to the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage.
Contents
The Stanley as a Movie Theatre
The Stanley first opened its doors on December 15, 1930. It was originally planned to be a place for vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a type of entertainment. It had different acts like singers, dancers, and comedians.
Who Built the Stanley Theatre?
Frederick Guest built the Stanley. He owned many theatres in Ontario. He loved Vancouver so much. He decided to build his dream theatre there. He hired Henry Holdsby Simmonds as the architect. Simmonds designed the inside in a neoclassical style. This means it looked like old Greek and Roman buildings. The outside was in an Art Deco style. This was a popular, modern design at the time. The theatre could seat 1,216 people.
Simmonds used only the best materials. He wanted the theatre to be very high quality. He used special stone from Winnipeg. He also used tiles from Italy. Chandeliers, carpets, and furniture came from local shops. The theatre was named after Governor General of Canada Lord Stanley. The Stanley Cup and Stanley Park are also named after him.
First Films and Changes Over Time
The very first film shown at the Stanley was One Romantic Night. It starred Lillian Gish. Tickets back then cost between 10 and 40 cents. In 1940, a tall vertical sign was added. It showed the name "Stanley." A fancy "Stanley" script was added in 1957.
The Granville Theatre Company owned the cinema at first. But in 1941, Famous Players bought it. They paid $268,000 for it.
The Stanley started as a local theatre. But it quickly became very popular. People from all over Vancouver came to watch movies there. From the 1950s, the theatre got better. It added improved sound and projection systems. The seats were also made more comfortable.
On July 8, 1954, the Stanley started showing films. These films used stereophonic CinemaScope. This meant the sound was all around you. The picture was also very wide. By December 1958, the theatre had a special DP70 70mm projector. The Stanley was advertised as the only Todd-AO theatre in Western Canada. This meant it had a very advanced film system. By October 1978, it had Dolby Stereo sound. In December 1985, its sound system was even better. It met THX quality standards.
The Stanley often showed very popular movies. Some movies shown there included The Exorcist, The Towering Inferno, and The Empire Strikes Back. Other blockbusters were Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Top Gun.
Why the Movie Theatre Closed
In the late 1900s, fewer people went to movie theatres. So, the money the Stanley made went down. Famous Players closed the Stanley on September 25, 1991. It was the oldest movie theatre still running in Vancouver. The last movie shown was Fantasia. The Stanley had shown Fantasia many times before.
Many Famous Players theatres closed during this time. In 1954, they had 419 theatres. By 1969, they had only 196. By 2005, when Cineplex Galaxy Entertainment took over, they had only eighty. Other Famous Players theatres in Vancouver also closed.
Saving and Renovating the Stanley
Famous Players put the Stanley up for sale in 1991. They had one rule: it could not be used as a movie theatre again. A developer named Sandy Cox wanted to buy it. He planned to keep the outside of the Stanley. But he wanted to turn the inside into shops. The Vancouver City Council approved this plan. However, the plan was never finished. The building stayed empty for several years.
The "Save Our Stanley" Campaign
In the early 1990s, people started a campaign. It was called "Save Our Stanley." They wanted to protect the building. They did not want it to become shops. In 1994, the Stanley Theatre Society was created. Their goal was to buy the Stanley. They wanted it for the Arts Club Theatre Company.
In 1997, the society bought the theatre. They paid $3,173,000 to Famous Players. Fixing up the theatre cost a lot more money. New sound and lighting equipment was needed. The total cost for buying and fixing it was about $9 million. This was more than the $7.5 million they first planned.
Money came from many places. The Arts Club and Vancouver TheatreSports raised money. The government gave at least $3.9 million. The City of Vancouver gave $100,000. A developer named Peter Wall also helped. He paid $1.2 million for something called a "density transfer." This helped his One Wall Centre building. A company called du Maurier also sponsored the theatre. But they later had to stop. This was because of new government rules about tobacco advertising.
What Changed During Renovation?
Architects Thom Weeks and Jennifer Stanley led the renovations. Weeks was a bit sad at first. The theatre looked "pretty tired." Its orange walls were old. The carpets were sticky from spilled drinks. But by the end of the renovation, everyone was excited. Actors and musicians were ready to perform.
Many things were changed:
- The lobby was made bigger.
- The balcony was changed.
- The stage became twice its original size.
- A new twenty-five meter fly tower was added. This is used to raise and lower scenery.
- New dressing rooms were built.
- A trap room, electrical room, and green room were added backstage.
- The number of seats was reduced from 1,216 to 650.
- A "crush bar" was put in the old projection booth.
- A part of the theatre's dome was cut out. This was for spotlights.
- The theatre's gold-leafed plaster decorations were fully restored.
Because of these changes, the theatre won awards in 1999. It received a City of Vancouver Heritage Award. It also won an IES International Illumination Design Award.
How the Renovation Helped the Area
A study in 2003 looked at the Stanley's renovation. It found that the theatre's repairs helped the local area. This area became a more popular place for fun and relaxation. Many new businesses opened. These included cultural businesses, shops, and service businesses. Sales in the area went up. Most people living nearby (76%) felt the theatre's reopening was good for the community. Businesses also thought the theatre had a positive effect.
The Stanley as a Live Stage
After being renovated, the theatre was named the Stanley Theatre du Maurier Stage. This was because of du Maurier's sponsorship. The Arts Club Theatre Company took it over. It later became their main stage.
This new venue allowed the Arts Club to put on bigger shows. They could now do large musicals and classic plays. They also brought in productions from around the world. The first show was Swing!. It opened on October 28, 1998. It was a big success. Hamlet was the next show.
The theatre is also rented out for other events. Businesses use it for presentations. Schools use it for educational programs. It has also hosted comedy shows and concerts. Famous performers like Lorne Elliott and Francis Cabrel have played there.
By 2005, du Maurier was no longer a sponsor. The theatre still had a $2 million mortgage. That year, Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company donated $1.5 million. On April 5, the theatre was renamed the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage. This new name will be used for the next twenty years.
Past Productions at the Stanley
The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage has hosted many amazing shows. Here are some of the plays and musicals that have been performed there:
2019–2020 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
A Thousand Splendid Suns | September 12, 2019 – October 13, 2019 | ||
The Sound of Music | November 7, 2019 – January 5, 2020 | ||
Noises Off | January 23, 2020 – February 23, 2020 | ||
carried away on the crest of a wave | Cancelled due to COVID-19 |
2018–2019 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time | September 6, 2018 – October 7, 2018 | ||
Sweat | October 18, 2018 – November 18, 2018 | ||
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | December 1, 2018 – January 6, 2019 | ||
The Matchmaker | January 24, 2019 – February 24, 2019 | ||
The Orchard (After Chekov) | March 21, 2019 – April 21, 2019 | ||
Matilda the Musical | May 16, 2019 – July 14, 2019 |
2017–2018 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Angels in America | September 7, 2017 – October 8, 2017 | ||
King Charles III | October 19, 2017 – November 19, 2017 | ||
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | December 7, 2017 – January 7, 2018 | ||
Jitters | January 25, 2018 – February 25, 2018 | ||
The Humans | March 22, 2018 – April 22, 2018 | ||
Mamma Mia! | May 10, 2018 – July 8, 2018 |
2016–2017 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery | September 8, 2016 – October 9, 2016 | ||
Bakersfield Mist | October 20, 2016 – November 20, 2016 | ||
Mary Poppins | December 3, 2016 – January 1, 2017 | ||
The Audience | January 26, 2017 – February 26, 2017 | ||
Brent Carver and the Art of Time Ensemble | March 2, 2017 – March 5, 2017 | ||
Angels in America | March 23, 2017 – April 23, 2017 | ||
Million Dollar Quartet | May 11, 2017 – July 9, 2017 |
2015–2016 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Disgraced | September 17, 2015 – October 18, 2015 | ||
A Christmas Story, The Musical | November 5, 2015 – December 27, 2015 | ||
Pride & Prejudice | January 28, 2016 – February 28, 2016 | ||
Good People | March 24, 2016 – April 24, 2016 | ||
Billy Elliot | May 12, 2016 – July 10, 2016 |
2014–2015 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
4000 Miles | September 11, 2014 – October 12, 2014 | ||
Saint Joan | October 23, 2014 – November 23, 2014 | ||
Mary Poppins | December 5, 2014 – January 4, 2015 | ||
One Man, Two Guvnors | January 22, 2015 – February 22, 2015 | ||
Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike | March 19, 2015 – April 19, 2015 | ||
In the Heights | April 30, 2015 – June 7, 2015 | ||
Les Misérables | July 2, 2015 – August 16, 2015 |
2013–2014 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Other Desert Cities | September 19, 2013 – October 20, 2013 | ||
Mary Poppins | November 7, 2013 – January 5, 2014 | ||
The Odd Couple | January 22, 2014 – February 23, 2014 | ||
Helen Lawrence | March 13, 2014 – April 13, 2014 | ||
Monty Python's Spamalot | May 8, 2014 – July 29, 2014 |
2012–2013 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Clybourne Park | September 6, 2012 – October 7, 2012 | ||
She Stoops to Conquer | October 18, 2012 – November 18, 2012 | ||
Boeing-Boeing | January 24, 2013 – February 24, 2013 | ||
2 Pianos 4 Hands | March 14, 2013 – April 14, 2013 | ||
Dreamgirls | May 7, 2013 – July 9, 2013 |
2011–2012 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Next to Normal | September 8, 2011 – October 9, 2011 | ||
The Penelopiad | October 20, 2011 – November 20, 2011 | ||
Irvin Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical | December 2, 2011 – December 28, 2011 | ||
Calendar Girls | January 26, 2012 – February 26, 2012 | ||
The Importance of Being Earnest | March 15, 2012 – April 15, 2012 | ||
High Society | May 10, 2012 – June 24, 2012 | ||
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | July 12, 2012 – August 26, 2012 |
2010–2011 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Tear the Curtain! | September 9, 2010 – October 10, 2010 | ||
The 39 Steps | October 21, 2010 – November 21, 2010 | ||
Irvin Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical | December 4, 2010 – January 2, 2011 | ||
August: Osage County | January 27, 2011 – February 27, 2011 | ||
Hairspray | May 7, 2011 – July 10, 2011 |
2009–2010 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Black Comedy | September 10, 2009 – October 11, 2009 | ||
Irvin Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical | November 7, 2009 – December 27, 2009 | ||
Mrs. Dexter and Her Daily | January 7, 2010 – February 7, 2010 | ||
Paradise Garden | March 11, 2010 – April 11, 2010 | ||
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story | May 13, 2010 – July 11, 2010 | ||
Glengarry Glen Ross | July 22, 2010 – August 22, 2010 |
2008–2009 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Doubt | September 11, 2008 – October 12, 2008 | ||
Cyrano de Bergerac | October 23, 2008 – November 23, 2008 | ||
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | December 6, 2008 – January 4, 2009 | ||
The Constant Wife | January 22, 2009 – February 22, 2009 | ||
Homechild | March 12, 2009 – April 12, 2009 | ||
Les Misérables | May 14, 2009 – July 19, 2009 |
2007–2008 Season | |||
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Show | Run Dates | ||
Company | September 13, 2007 – October 14, 2007 | ||
The Glass Menagerie | October 25, 2007 – November 25, 2007 | ||
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | December 6, 2007 – January 6, 2008 | ||
Glorious! | January 24, 2008 – February 24, 2008 | ||
Rabbit Hole | March 13, 2008 – April 13, 2008 | ||
The Producers | May 25, 2008 – July 13, 2008 |
2006–2007 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Cookin' at the Cookery | September 14, 2006 – October 15, 2006 |
The School for Scandal | October 26, 2006 – November 26, 2006 |
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | December 7, 2006 – January 14, 2007 |
Up Island | January 25, 2007 – February 25, 2007 |
Half Life | March 8, 2007 – April 8, 2007 |
Gypsy | May 10, 2007 – July 8, 2007 |
Cookin' at the Cookery | August 2, 2007 – August 26, 2007 |
2005–2006 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
The Diary of Anne Frank | September 22, 2005 – October 23, 2005 |
Disney's Beauty and the Beast | November 17, 2005 – January 15, 2006 |
Absurd Person Singular | February 2, 2006 – March 5, 2006 |
Waiting for Godot | March 23, 2006 – April 23, 2006 |
Cabaret | May 18, 2006 – July 9, 2006 |
2004–2005 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
A Flea in Her Ear | September 23, 2004 – October 24, 2004 |
Funny Girl | November 11, 2004 – January 9, 2005 |
Enchanted April | February 3, 2005 – March 6, 2005 |
Unless | March 31, 2005 – May 1, 2005 |
Miss Saigon | May 19, 2005 – July 10, 2005 |
2003–2004 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Othello | September 26, 2003 – October 26, 2003 |
Singin' in the Rain | November 14, 2003 – January 14, 2004 |
Dirty Blonde | January 30, 2004 – February 29, 2004 |
Private Lives | March 12, 2004 – April 11, 2004 |
Evita | April 30, 2004 – June 27, 2004 |
2002–2003 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
To Kill a Mockingbird | September 26, 2002 – November 3, 2002 |
West Side Story | November 14, 2002 – January 12, 2003 |
Arsenic and Old Lace | January 23, 2003 – February 23, 2003 |
The Memory of Water | March 6, 2003 – April 6, 2003 |
Dial M for Murder | May 8, 2003 – June 8, 2003 |
Shirley Valentine | July 17, 2003 – August 24, 2003 |
2001–2002 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Elizabeth Rex | September 28, 2001 – October 28, 2001 |
My Fair Lady | November 16, 2001 – January 13, 2002 |
All My Sons | January 25, 2002 – February 24, 2002 |
Dinner with Friends | March 8, 2002 – April 14, 2002 |
Mousetrap | May 16, 2002 – June 21, 2002 |
My Fair Lady | July 31, 2002 – September 15, 2002 |
2000–2001 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Amadeus | September 28, 2000 – November 5, 2000 |
She Loves Me | November 16, 2000 – December 31, 2000 |
The Ginko Tree | January 26, 2001 – February 25, 2001 |
'Art' | March 15, 2001 – May 6, 2001 |
Ain't Misbehavin' | May 17, 2001 – July 15, 2001 |
And Then There Were None | July 26, 2001 – September 17, 2001 |
1999–2000 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Sweeney Todd | October 1, 1999 – October 30, 1999 |
Blithe Spirit | November 18, 1999 – December 31, 1999 |
For the Pleasure of Seeing Her Again | January 14, 2000 – February 12, 2000 |
Communicating Doors | March 3, 2000 – April 1, 2000 |
The Foursome | April 24, 2000 – May 24, 2000 |
Hotel Porter | July 6, 2000 – September 2, 2000 |
1998–1999 Season | |
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Show | Run Dates |
Swing! | October 28, 1998 – November 22, 1998 |
Hamlet | January 27, 1999 – February 20, 1999 |
Moon Over Buffalo | March 11, 1999 – April 4, 1999 |
Easy Money | May 5, 1999 – May 30, 1999 |
Swing! | June 17, 1999 – August 1, 1999 |
See also
- List of heritage buildings in Vancouver
- Theatre in Canada
- South Granville Rise
- Orpheum (Vancouver)