This information is incorrect. The Strand Theatre burned down in the late 1950’s. The site is now a parking lot next to the Rivera Banquet Hall and the Budget Motor Inn.
The Theatre that became a (CHCH) TV studio (the Kenmore if I recall), is on King Street West just before Locke. Currently it is the Westside Concert Theatre.
Yes I have done this with google maps myself… The part of the roof on the westside of the structure that has caved in is the last bit of the original 1912 roof… The part that was not replaced in 1954.
Ironically the most intact and important historical parts of the Century theatre are the backstage areas of the 1912 Lyric vaudeville palace which were left just as storage after the proscenium arch was bricked up in 1940… The grid, the hemp fly gallary and the original dressing rooms, and a huge paint frame used to paint scenic drops are still intact in the east end of the building…
I also have a blueprint I found in the office on the second floor showing the 1954 renovations where the Lyric’s original ceiling was removed and the current flat roof was installed… Sprachman was the architect I recall
There are still elements of the Lyric auditorium left on the side walls at the back and parts of the original pros arch plaster work are a groove between the current ceiling and the fly gallery.
It was renamed Century in 1940 when bough by 20th Century Theatres They built a smaller one level cinema within the shell of the old 2000 seat vaudeville palace…
I have only one image of the Lyric Theatre (1912-1940) interior and that is a bad photocopy from a microfilm of the Hamilton Herald Newspaper article – a Christmas concert for orphans from the 1913 taken from the stage and showing the auditorium with its large sweeping balcony.. I will see if I can dig it up again…
The Marx Brothers played the Century in a stage show in 1924 BTW…
Also backstage on the paint frame back in 1990, I found a poster saying “LYRIC THEATRE HIGHCLASS KIETH/ALBEE VAUDEVILLE”.. The back of it had been used to mix paint for backdrops…
This was the 2 screen theatre I saw the original STAR WARS at least 12 times or so in the summer of 1977.
The addition of the former Canadian Tire store on the west side of the original theatre added the extra 6 small screens.
It has been completely demolished now. Not any great loss as a historical building, but still fondly remembered by me at least.
I remember attending this cinema in 1979 to see the theatrical release of the BATTLESTAR GALACTICA film. It was called the York at the time.
It was used as a sports store in the 1990’s, with the seats still in the auditorium. I remember seeing bicycles propped up in the aisles.
I have seen a few films now in the remodeled interior and have been impressed with the atmosphere.
This information is incorrect. The Strand Theatre burned down in the late 1950’s. The site is now a parking lot next to the Rivera Banquet Hall and the Budget Motor Inn.
The Theatre that became a (CHCH) TV studio (the Kenmore if I recall), is on King Street West just before Locke. Currently it is the Westside Concert Theatre.
Recent pictures of the Empire theatre are at this site..
View link
An article on the theatre is also here..
http://www.nationnews.com/story/6966471906097.php
Yes I have done this with google maps myself… The part of the roof on the westside of the structure that has caved in is the last bit of the original 1912 roof… The part that was not replaced in 1954.
Ironically the most intact and important historical parts of the Century theatre are the backstage areas of the 1912 Lyric vaudeville palace which were left just as storage after the proscenium arch was bricked up in 1940… The grid, the hemp fly gallary and the original dressing rooms, and a huge paint frame used to paint scenic drops are still intact in the east end of the building…
I also have a blueprint I found in the office on the second floor showing the 1954 renovations where the Lyric’s original ceiling was removed and the current flat roof was installed… Sprachman was the architect I recall
There are still elements of the Lyric auditorium left on the side walls at the back and parts of the original pros arch plaster work are a groove between the current ceiling and the fly gallery.
It was renamed Century in 1940 when bough by 20th Century Theatres They built a smaller one level cinema within the shell of the old 2000 seat vaudeville palace…
I have only one image of the Lyric Theatre (1912-1940) interior and that is a bad photocopy from a microfilm of the Hamilton Herald Newspaper article – a Christmas concert for orphans from the 1913 taken from the stage and showing the auditorium with its large sweeping balcony.. I will see if I can dig it up again…
The Marx Brothers played the Century in a stage show in 1924 BTW…
Also backstage on the paint frame back in 1990, I found a poster saying “LYRIC THEATRE HIGHCLASS KIETH/ALBEE VAUDEVILLE”.. The back of it had been used to mix paint for backdrops…