Prince of Wales Theatre

2094 Danforth Avenue,
Toronto, ON M4C

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Additional Info

Architects: Joseph Hunt Stanford

Firms: J. Hunt Stanford & Son

Nearby Theaters

Photo from the City of Toronto's 1927 souvenir program celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Canadian Confederation. Courtesy of  Mark McKinlay

This theatre opened on May 5, 1924 and was demolished in 1966.

Contributed by Christopher Walczak

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

robboehm
robboehm on March 5, 2009 at 9:12 pm

This is not to be confused with the “legitimate” theatre constructed by “Honest Ed” Mirisch specifically to accomodate the helicopter in Miss Saigon. Previously when Cats played at the Pantages (now bearing some corporate name) the scene where Grizabella is transported off to “cat heaven” had to be modified from the Broadway (and I presume London versions) because of limited space to “fly” scenery.

telliott
telliott on March 5, 2009 at 11:59 pm

The legitimate theatre built by Honest Ed “Mirvish” (not Mirisch) is called the PRINCESS of Wales, NOT Prince of Wales. Also, Cats never played the Pantages (now the Canon) but at the Elgin and Massey Hall (where i saw it).

robboehm
robboehm on March 6, 2009 at 9:18 am

Couldn’t remember exactly what Ed’s name was. After I posted this I replayed my theatre experience. Phantom was at the Pantages, Cats at the Elgin.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 8, 2012 at 4:06 pm

All the period references I’ve found to the architect of this theater (and there are quite a few) list him as J. Hunt Stanford. His first name was Joseph. There is a brief biographical sketch of him on this web page, which also displays a bookplate from his personal library.

The December 19, 1923, issue of Contract Record and Engineering Review had a notice about this theater:

“Foundations are going in for $100,000 theatre north east corner Woodbine and Danforth Aves. for Danforth-Woodbine Theatre Ltd. Architect, J. Hunt Stanford & Son, 67 Yonge Arcade. Carpentry by day labor. Roofing, plumbing, heating, electric, plastering and painting to day labor.
J. Hunt Stanford & Son was formed in 1922, when Leo Hunt Stanford joined his father’s practice.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 5, 2014 at 11:14 pm

Just added a 1927 photo.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond on March 6, 2014 at 6:06 pm

This theatre was built by W. A. Summerville, Sr. AND later jointly operated by the Summerville and Bloom and Fine Theatres under the name Danforth-Woodbine Theatres Limited. In effect this was a pooling arrangement between B & f AND Summerville.

DavidDymond
DavidDymond on March 7, 2014 at 5:12 pm

B & F (Bloom and Fine) were important Famous Players partners controlling 20 luxurious neighbourhood theatres in Toronto!!!

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