Metro Theatre (Vancouver)
| Address | 1370 Marine Drive SW Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 300 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1962 |
| Website | |
| https://metrotheatre.com/ | |
Metro Theatre is a non-profit community theatre based in the Marpole neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC.
History
Housed in the historic Marpole Movie Theatre, the Metro Theatre began as an idea for a new home for local theatre in Vancouver.[1] The Metropolitan Theatre Society was created in 1962 with founding members including Don Poole, Ruth Cunnigham, Lawrence Drummond, Eve Mutter, Eleanor Heath, Jack Richards.[2]
The society moved forward raising funds, and in 1962 purchased the Marpole Theatre which was built in 1932 and operated until 1955.[3] It's inaugural season was a collaboration between 11 of Vancouver's local theatre companies and launched in 1964.
In 1977, provinical funding changes redirected cultural funding to "professional theatre" companies putting the company's future in question, but ultimately was save by community efforts and private donations.[4]
Present Day
The Metro Theatre regularly produces up to eight shows a year including a traditional British Pantomime each holiday season.
Over its 62 years, the company has produced more 500 plays with over 1 million hours of volunteer contributions.[5]
Venue
The Metro Theatre hosts a 28'x22' stage with a fully functioning fly system for curtains and scenic drops, sound and lighting systems. The auditorium includes a small balcony and contains 300 seats. [6]
The upstairs area of the theatre is home to a licensed bar and 65-seat lounge with additional green room space.
References
- ^ "Who We Are". Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Metro Theatre Alumni". Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "British Columbia Movie Theatres 1945 – 1960". dukefilmography.com. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Vancouver's Metro Theatre still going strong, 500 shows later". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Volunteers key to community theatre success". The Langara Voice. 2019-02-14. Retrieved 2025-04-26.
- ^ "Metro Theatre Rentals". Retrieved 2025-04-26.