Theatre crest

There were so many details at the Elgin - too many to catch them all! But I did like these two fairies holding a crest. I hope you've enjoyed this look inside the theatre, tomorrow it's on to another location that I visited during Doors Open. Until then, you can find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Vaudeville look

The flats were not the only vaudeville relics found during theatre renovations - there were also lots of lovely costumes. These two are recreations of some of the models that were found, but you can see some of the originals during the backstage tour.

July theme day: Theatrical facade

And we're back to the Elgin Wintergarden Theater! When the theatre was being renovated, they discovered lots of remnants from the vaudeville days, like this old flat. This garden backdrop would have been used for light, musical numbers. I can just imagine the ladies twirling a parasol and singing a light ditty in this scene. For more murals, take a look at Monday Murals and you'll see more interpretations of facades from around the world here.

PS: Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers!

The Winter Garden

 

Now the really special thing about the Elgin is that it's two theaters in one! Back then (and even today), real estate was expensive on Yonge Street so the original owner built upwards - there is actually a second theatre right above the Elgin and it's called the Winter Garden. We were told during the presentation that there are only a few of these "double-decker" Edwardian type theatres left in the world and Toronto is lucky to have one of them! In the vaudeville days, the lower theatre would be an open-seating type show with tickets costing around 10 cents while the upper theatre was slightly more refined with assigned seating and tickets costing  25 cents or more.

I only wish my photos did this space justice because the atmosphere was really something. Those wonderful leaves hanging from the ceiling are real (although they have been treated with some kind of preservative) and you get a wonderful feeling as soon as you walk into the space. I hope to come back here one day to see a show.

Details of the Elgin Theatre

Here's another look at the inside of the Elgin theatre. Wouldn't you love to sit in one of those opera boxes? I think they're amazing!

 

They even look good in black and white. I'm so glad this place has been saved and preserved. It started as a vaudeville house, became a movie theater and now broadway-style shows are housed here. Check back tomorrow when I'll show you something really special about the Elgin.

Theatrical details

Here's a look at the beautifully restored ceiling of the Elgin theater. The Elgin was originally a vaudeville house which was later converted to show "talkies". Unfortunately many of the wonderful details were lost during the transition, but now that the theater has been designated as a historical landmark, it has been restored and renovated back to its former glory. I'm only sad my photos don't really do the place justice. I'll show you more of this wonderful location tomorrow!

Theatrical mural

It's on to the second stop of Doors Open Toronto - the Elgin theater! This place was just fantastically beautiful and the volunteer who gave a talk about the theater's history was so interesting and really knew his stuff. What you're looking at is the fire curtain of one of the two theaters housed in the building. I'll show and tell you more about it this week. Until then, you can find more murals at Monday Murals.

Canadian stage

Last weekend my husband and I went to our first theater performance in Toronto. We chose the Canadian premier of the Tony award-winning play Caroline or Change. It was excellent! The cast was really strong and I also liked the many-leveled set. In fact, I can't think of anything I didn't like. If this show ever comes your way, I highly recommend it!

Old time theater

 

I guess the marquee is dating this photo a bit, but I was looking through my archives and realized I never showed this one. I love old movie theaters and I believe this one has been transformed into a live theater. A good way to recycle, I think! 

Hope you are having a lovely weekend so far. If you'd like to see more black and white shots, visit the Weekend in Black and White. And I've still got some stuff to show you from the Air Zoo on my travel blog.