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 | Toronto Theatres Reviews | Tips 11 - 17 of 17 |  |
Massey Hall and Roy Thompson Hall are part of the same corporation, but the two venues put on different types of performances, with Roy Thompson Hall catering to more upscale and classic performers (like the TSO). Massey Hall, however, is the more historic of the two concert halls. It was constructed in the early 1890s and inaugurated in 1894 as a memorial for Charles Albert Massey. The architect was Sidney Badgeley. This was the original home of classic and orchestral museum, although newer venues with more modern and better acoustics have since usurped its title. It still occasionally hosts classical shows, but is used more as a place for modern music and for speaking engagements (the Dalai Lama spoke here). It is also conveniently located steps from the Eaton Centre and the shops and restaurants of Yonge Street.
Dress according to the performance. If you're going to hear a folk musician, don't show up in a tux. Vice versa for classical performances. Leave a Comment Theme: ConcertAddress: Shuter StreetPhone: (416) 872-4255Directions: Yonge, Front, and King Streets primarily, with other theatres scattered around the city.Website: http://www.roythomson.com/home.cfm
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 | |  |  | Theatres: Roy Thomson Hall | |  |  | |  |
During Luminato, Roy Thomson Hall is one of the main venues. I saw Not the Messiah, a show based upon Monty Python's Life of Brian. Eric Idle starred; it's worth seeing just for his Boby Dylan imitation. This theatre has something going on all the time. In addition, the same company owns the famed Massey Hall. Jazz fans may remember that this was the scene of a legendary concert with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, and Max Roach.
Smart casual. Leave a Comment Theme: TheaterAddress: 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, ON M5J 2H5Phone: (416) 593-4822 administrativeDirections: The Roy Thomson Hall is at the corner of King and Simcoe Streets, downtown. Massey Hall is on Shuter Street, just east of Yonge Street (near Eaton Centre).Website: http://www.roythomson.com/eventInfo.cfm?P=3525&YearMonth=2006,12 Other Contact: (416) 872-4255 box office
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| | | | Theatres: Elgin & Winter Garden's Theatre | | | | | |
The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres were constructed in 1913 and are apparently one of the last surviving Edwardian stacked theatres in the world. The Winter Garden was so named because it was originally decorated as a forest, while the lower theatre, now the Elgin, was originally called Loew's Theatre and put on Vaudeville productions. From the 1930s to the 1970s, the theatre fell into disuse, often shuttered but sometimes showing B-list movies, until the 1980s when it was acquired by the Ontario government and restored. It now alternates between musical productions (like Cats) and films for the Toronto International Film Festival. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office or through Ticket Master (www.ticketmaster.ca).
Like most places in Toronto, the performance you're going to see should be the best indicator of dress code. Casual clothing is probably your best bet for the Elgin, however, as there are few (if any) classical or traditional performances here. Leave a Comment Theme: TheaterAddress: 189 Yonge StreetPhone: 416-872-5555Directions: Yonge, Front, and King Streets primarily, with other theatres scattered around the city.Website: http://www.heritagefdn.on.ca/userfiles/HTML/nts_1_2374_1.html
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| | | | Theatres: Royal Alexandra | | | | | |
Toronto is not nearly as well known for general theatre as it is for musical theatre. Thanks to the Mirvish family, Toronto's theatre district (King west of University, as well as a few theatre on Yonge near the Eaton Centre) is a beacon for those who LOVE musical theatre. The Royal Alexandra is certainly the heart of this phenomenon, with some of the biggest names in the business performing here. It's a good idea to check ahead with the theatre as to which shows are playing, but it is unlikely that, if you come for a matinee or for a show that has been on for several months, it will be difficult to buy tickets. Nevertheless, surprises of the "sold out" variety are never fun, so going to the theatre's website is always advisable. The theatre itself was designed by John MacIntosh Lyle and built in 1907. It was purchased by Ed Mirvish in 1963. It can seat 1500, so sold out shows are nearly impossible for anything other than opening galas and the like.
Be sensible - even in the summer, long pants or a skirt are recommended, as there will be pretty powerful air conditioning in the thetre. This isn't the opera or the philharmonic, though, so you shouldn't feel like you need to put on a tux or evening gown. Leave a Comment Theme: TheaterAddress: 260 King WestDirections: King Street west of University AvenueWebsite: http://www.mirvish.com/OurTheatres/Royal.html
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on October 14, 2007
on May 24, 2004
on July 31, 2007
