Lyceum Theatre

Parts of Lyceum Smith organ used in St Albans Rathgar (Tuba,Diapason,
Tibia(stored) and main chests combined with Warren pipework and Console by Organ man Radcliffe

Here is an August 1945 ad from the Winnipeg Free Press:
http://tinyurl.com/ywdqoe

Does anyone know if the Lyceum Photo Studio in Winnipeg, next door at 290 Portage Avenue, was affiliated with the Lyceum Theatre and the owners? Any history of the studio?
B.R.

GAR, do you have any idea when the organ was removed from the Lyceum and where it might have ended up? As I recall as part of the Northstar complex, now Radisson, a twin screen theatre was built which replaced the demolished Lyceum. It too no longer exists. Also, do you have any more info on the Rialto aka Downtown theatre? It should be added to Cinema Treasures.

Tim, the Garrick is closed and now part of the Ramada Marlborough hotel, currently a conference centre (theatre interior totally gutted for current use). Capitol, 1920, designed by Thomas Lamb, demolished summer 2003 after years of neglect (it could have been saved if someone had paid attention). Metropolitan, 1919, designed by C Howard Crane, closed and boarded up since 1988, under city ownership, but no one has come forward with a practical use for the property. Interior has some of the fittings remaining, (chandeliers, wall sconces and some seats),all other ornamental detail was painted over years ago, as well as any other fittings removed, including
film equipment. It’s in grim condition otherwise and it would take a ton of money to restore. They have, however, repaired the roof and installed electric furnaces as well as a security system.
Currently the city has two other theatres on the books; the 1914 Pantages Playhouse (fully restored as a performing arts centre)and the 1907 Walker aka Odeon, recently renamed Burton Cummings Performing Arts Centre, used primarily for performing arts, rock concerts, etc. All the film equipment was stripped from the premises when Odeon abandoned the theatre in the 1980’s. Ongoing renovations as money permits.

I think SOM played at the Kings for about two years. I was away from the city for a long time. It was playing when I left and it was still playing there when I came back.. Currently the Kings is a flea market. Other than that the exterior looks the same as it did when it was a theatre. The marquee and ‘Kings’ neon signs are still there, along with the poster cases on the front of the building. Only the letters that said ‘theatre’ have been removed. The Colony (aka Gaiety, Eve) disappeared some time ago in a fit of urban renewal when everything on the north side of Portage Avenue was demolished to make way for Investors Syndicate headquarters office building.

A recent comment about another theatre with an auditorium floor that sloped downward as usual, then swept upwards again close to the screen just reminded me that the Lyceum also had the same idiosyncracy.
I recall that the screen seemed to be close to the back wall, with little or no stage house behind it and for that matter no proscenium either, which makes me think that a remodelling had been carried out. The stage, organ chambers and orchestra pit were probably removed in that remodelling, the screen moved back and the orchestra pit filled in. As I recall drapes surrounded the screen including a matching valance above the screen. This extended around to the sides as far as the emergency exit doors on either side of the screen. No proscenium was visible. Even with the more modern seating that was installed allowing for wider seats and more leg room, capacity would have remained almost the same as before by using the extra space that was gained by demolishing the stage area and extending the auditorium floor forward.

This was also apparently the very first theatre in Winnipeg.