Ed Mirvish Theatre

244 Victoria Street,
Toronto, ON M5B 1V8

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Mirvish Theatres (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Famous Players, Pantages

Architects: Thomas White Lamb

Functions: Live Theatre, Stage Shows

Styles: Adam, Neo-Classical

Previous Names: Pantages Theatre, Imperial Theatre, Imperial Six, Pantages Cinema, Canon Theatre

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Ed Mirvish Theatre

The Pantages Theatre was Canada’s largest theatre when it opened in 1920. It was equipped with a 26 ranks Warren theatre pipe organ. This 3,626 seat palace remained a single screen theatre in the Famous Players chain until 15th March 1930. On July 5, 1930 it was re-named Imperial Theatre.

In June 1973 it was divided into six auditoriums and renamed the Imperial Six. Cinema 1 was between the front of the former balcony and the screen. Cinema 2 was the former balcony seating. Cinemas 3 & 4 were in the former backstage. Cinemas 5 & 6 were in the orchestra seating.

The Imperial Six was taken over Cineplex Odeon in May 1986 and was partially renovated, re-opening as the Pantages Cinema in December 1987. This closed in August 1988 and a full restoration project to return the building to a single auditorium was completed fully completed in September 1989.

The theatre was re-named Pantages Theatre again and was home to the stage musical “The Phantom of the Opera” for ten years. Now used mostly for Broadway touring companies, the theatre was renamed the Canon Theatre in September of 2001 and in 2011 was renamed Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Contributed by Jason R

Recent comments (view all 39 comments)

robboehm
robboehm on June 21, 2014 at 6:50 am

As you can see, telliott, it now is. But the last name used it not always the case on CT, for whatever reason.

telliott
telliott on June 21, 2014 at 9:48 am

Sorry, my mistake, I thought it was.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 14, 2018 at 3:49 pm

1964 postcard of Yonge Street added, Imperial Theatre to the right of center.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 14, 2018 at 3:52 pm

Link with photos of the Imperial and other theatres.

https://tayloronhistory.com/2013/02/26/torontos-lost-movie-theatresthe-downtown-theatre-on-yonge-st-south-of-dundas/

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 9, 2018 at 8:35 pm

The Wikipedia page has quite the intriguing history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Mirvish_Theatre?fbclid=IwAR0or0JkaBusnGNx3g3etIViC6qfMUqqovepWH1S6NP_HsfPzDTFe9e7RYw

robboehm
robboehm on November 10, 2018 at 7:26 am

Ed Mirvish was really a champion of theater in Toronto. He even built a theater so that the helicopter could fly in Miss Saigon.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on December 5, 2023 at 11:49 am

The Imperial was also the first movie house in Canada to have CinemaScope on October 23, 1953.

m00se1111
m00se1111 on January 1, 2024 at 12:46 pm

Now that the Mirvish is primarily a live event venue, they. look to be harkening back to their movie theatre days.

During the performances of “Chicago”, popcorn was being popped fresh and sold in the lobby. Photo uploaded.

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