This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources. Find sources: "The Grand Theatre" Kingston, Ontario – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR(April 2012)
The Grand Theatre is a historic theatre located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada and is currently one of that city's major performing arts venues. It has been the home of the Kingston Symphony since 1964. The main theatre seats 776 people, and has a proscenium stage and an orchestra pit. The building also houses a smaller black box theatre, The Baby Grand, which seats 105 people.
Built in 1901–02 on the site of the former Martin's Opera House (built 1879 and destroyed by fire on 6 December 1898), The Grand Theatre was originally known as the Grand Opera House. The theatre's gala performance was on 14 January 1902.[1] From 1905 to 1936 the theatre was owned and operated by impresario Ambrose J. Small. Notable performers to appear at the theatre during its early years included Sarah Bernhardt, Al Jolson, and Nellie Melba. In 1936 the theatre was sold by Small to Famous Players who decided to shut the theatre down and turn the building into a cinema venue. After two years of restoration, the theatre reopened as a movie house on 20 May 1938, and operated in that capacity until the theatre closed again in 1961.
Were it not for a group of concerned citizens forming the Kingston Arts Council, the Grand Theatre would have been demolished in the early 1960s. The Kingston Arts Council successfully campaigned and advocated against demolition and for the theatre to be restored as a civic theatre that would serve as the home of the Kingston Symphony and as a venue for both local and touring groups.[2] Work accordingly began in 1964 and the newly named The Grand Theatre opened its doors on 20 May 1966 with a performance of Dora Mavor Moore's musical revue Spring Thaw. In 1978 a series of ongoing renovations began which established new lounges, higher quality backstage facilities, and The Baby Grand was co-founded by Sarah Garton Stanley and Eric Kaskens in 1985 (and was renovated and reopened in November 1990).[3]
Referencesedit
^Patricia Beharriell (2013). "Grand Theatre, Kingston". In Beckwith, John; Elliott, Robin (eds.). Mapping Canada's Music: Selected Writings of Helmutt Kallmann. Wilfrid Laurier University Press. p. 117. ISBN9781554588923.
^Kingston Arts Council. "Kingston Arts Council: About Us".
grand, theatre, kingston, ontario, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, grand, theatre, kingston, on. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources The Grand Theatre Kingston Ontario news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2012 The Grand Theatre is a historic theatre located in Kingston Ontario Canada and is currently one of that city s major performing arts venues It has been the home of the Kingston Symphony since 1964 The main theatre seats 776 people and has a proscenium stage and an orchestra pit The building also houses a smaller black box theatre The Baby Grand which seats 105 people The Grand Theatre Kingston Grand Opera House 1901 2 Leo the Royal Cadet The Grand Theatre Jun 3 5 1915Address218 Princess StreetKingston OntarioK7L 1B2Capacity775 main theatre 105 smaller theatra proscenium stage orchestra pitCurrent useProfessional and amateur theatreOpened1902Closed1936 1938 1961 1966 Years active1902 presentWebsitehttp www kingstongrand ca Official Website of The Grand TheatreHistory editBuilt in 1901 02 on the site of the former Martin s Opera House built 1879 and destroyed by fire on 6 December 1898 The Grand Theatre was originally known as the Grand Opera House The theatre s gala performance was on 14 January 1902 1 From 1905 to 1936 the theatre was owned and operated by impresario Ambrose J Small Notable performers to appear at the theatre during its early years included Sarah Bernhardt Al Jolson and Nellie Melba In 1936 the theatre was sold by Small to Famous Players who decided to shut the theatre down and turn the building into a cinema venue After two years of restoration the theatre reopened as a movie house on 20 May 1938 and operated in that capacity until the theatre closed again in 1961 Were it not for a group of concerned citizens forming the Kingston Arts Council the Grand Theatre would have been demolished in the early 1960s The Kingston Arts Council successfully campaigned and advocated against demolition and for the theatre to be restored as a civic theatre that would serve as the home of the Kingston Symphony and as a venue for both local and touring groups 2 Work accordingly began in 1964 and the newly named The Grand Theatre opened its doors on 20 May 1966 with a performance of Dora Mavor Moore s musical revue Spring Thaw In 1978 a series of ongoing renovations began which established new lounges higher quality backstage facilities and The Baby Grand was co founded by Sarah Garton Stanley and Eric Kaskens in 1985 and was renovated and reopened in November 1990 3 References edit Patricia Beharriell 2013 Grand Theatre Kingston In Beckwith John Elliott Robin eds Mapping Canada s Music Selected Writings of Helmutt Kallmann Wilfrid Laurier University Press p 117 ISBN 9781554588923 Kingston Arts Council Kingston Arts Council About Us Patricia Beharriel Grand Theatre The Canadian Encyclopedia External links editOfficial Website of The Grand Theatre Kingston Arts Council 44 13 55 N 76 29 11 W 44 2320 N 76 4865 W 44 2320 76 4865 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Grand Theatre Kingston Ontario amp oldid 1148546814, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
