In downtown Toronto there stands the last operating Edwardian stacked theatre in the world. The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres were built in 1913, eventually sank into B-movie obscurity, and then underwent a major restoration in the 1980s.
I had a chance to take a tour of these two grand theatres and both are visual treats, but today I look at the Winter Garden Theatre only.
Click on any photo to enlarge.
It sits seven stories above the Elgin and in between the two theatres, are layers of open lobbies accessible by the “Grand Staircase”, an escalator, or the original hand operated elevators.
Like the Elgin, the Winter Garden was originally built to feature vaudeville shows and silent films, but the Winter Garden was given an entirely different look and feel, intended to provide premium acts for the upper middle class.
The theatre was decorated to simulate an intimate outdoor garden and is probably one of the most unique theatres in the world.
The walls are painted in a garden theme with leaf boughs and specially treated, real beech tree branches hanging from the ceiling.
In 1928 when talking films were becoming hugely popular, the Elgin Theatre downstairs was equipped with a sound system, but the Winter Garden was simply closed and sealed up.
… and it remained sealed for almost 60 years.
In 1981, the property was acquired by the Ontario Heritage Foundation and in 1987 the process of restoring the theatre began.
What they discovered inside the Winter Garden was a largely preserved time capsule, including a treasure of vaudeville stage scenes and costumes that had simply been left untouched. It is reported to be the largest surviving collection of vaudeville scenery in the world.
Most of it is in a storage facility outside of Toronto, but several large impressive stage scenes are on display.
The painted wall scenes presented a challenge for the restoration team and eventually they were painstakingly cleaned using raw bread dough.
The sticky dough was rolled in small balls along the walls to lift off the dirt and grime without damaging the delicate paint work underneath.
Inside the theatre, there is a feeling of sitting under giant trees lit by small lanterns.
I remember the slack-jawed awe I felt attending a performance in the Winter Garden shortly after it was re-opened in 1989. It was – and still is – a feast for the eyes.
Although used primarily for small stage productions that don’t require an orchestra pit, the Winter Garden, like its sister the Elgin, is used for premiere events at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
If you ever get a chance to tour the theatres or attend a performance in this historic building, I highly recommend it. The Winter Garden will be opening its doors to the public as part of the Open Doors Toronto event at the end of May.
Well, now, they certainly don’t build theaters like that anymore. Wow! Thanks for the tour and the historical background information. 🙂
LikeLike
Sorry Judy – I found your comment stuck in my spam folder. The nerve!
The old theatres were places of magic in more ways than one. I learned through a friend of mine that there is an entire organization in the US of people involved in restoring old Art Deco theatres. He discovered this group while researching an old Art Deco theatre he’s bought and trying to restore. It seems to be a trend and these people are sharing their learnings with each other. Learning about this kind of collaboration makes me happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is an awesome theatre. No performers necessary, the building performs well all by itself.
LikeLike
That it does indeed! … although from what I understand, performers like this stage. It’s small and the theatre has an intimate feel to it.
LikeLike
It’s as though you are on a big treasure hunt in your own city Joanne. Imagine what fun it would be to perform here and I noticed Heather’s enthusiasm when she saw it.
LikeLike
That’s a great way to express it Sue. It is a big treasure hunt! Now if only there was a pot of gold at the end 😉
I admit that I harbour a secret desire to be on stage … but I think one needs some talent for that to happen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, this has been officially bumped up to the top of my Toronto list for our next visit. Great shots Joanne 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks Norm. I recommend it! I think you’d go crazy in there trying to capture all the wonderful details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] ← From Vaudeville to TIFF […]
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, I’m practically hyperventilating. So gorgeous, so stunning and, man, I wanna perform in there! Wow. Just. Wow.
On a side note, don’t you love how film festivals sound like they’re having an argument? You’re having a TIFF, we get MIFFed. 😀
LikeLike
hehehe – either an argument or a slight speak impediment 😉
I too harbour a deep desire to perform on the stage … if only I had even a tiny bit of talent 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful theater (or, theatre). I’m going to have to remember that bread dough cleaning trick. I wonder what works best, whole wheat or white flour?
LikeLike
Either way, at least the walls don’t have to worry about carbs or gluten 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my! The theatre is awesome. So is your photography.
LikeLike
What a delightful place. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Thanks Ruth. It really is a delightful place and worth another visit to see if I can get some better photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love these theatres – I’ve seen everything from TIFF movies, to stage shows to Opera Atelier. I have never done the tour though so perhaps I will try at this year’s “Doors Open” – I was just starting to plan this year’s viewings this afternoon! The R.C Harris Water Plant is top of my list so far for this year.
I heard about using dough to do the cleaning when I was in Vienna – apparently that was what they used in the Schonnbron Palace (none of us in the tour guessed the correct answer).
LikeLike
I haven’t checked the list for this year’s Doors Open, but I assumed the R.C Harris wasn’t going to be on the list because they’ve been under construction. Do you know for sure they will be open because I would definitely like to include that one as well.
LikeLike
I checked the 2017 online list yesterday and it was definitely there……
LikeLike
woohoo!! 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I love old theaters, but this one is exceptional. I don’t think I have the words for it…just awesomely stunning.
LikeLike
“Awesomely stunning” sums it up very well.
Although I had been to a few shows there years ago, I still had the same jaw-dropping reaction when I walked in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing theatre! Perfect for a Midsummer’s Night Dream. 😀
LikeLike
oooo – you’re right!!
Although I think Midsummer’s Night Dream is one of the plays that is performed every year outdoors in one of the city parks. It’s included in a summer series called Shakespeare in the Park.
LikeLike
This is so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. What a treat it must be to sit there and watch a peformance whilst under the trees. That staircase is incredible, visual treats indeed!
We used to make erasers back in the day, with bread that way, it really does work well. (Okay I grew up on an isolated hillside in South Africa.) We also made our own honemade glue with flour and water.
Beautiful Joanne,
Peta
LikeLike
I’m starting to appreciate that there are many little artistic ‘tricks’ that are used of which I had no idea existed. I love these simply discoveries!
LikeLike
That is simply breathtaking in its originality and creativity. I’ve never seen anything like it! Thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLike
… and my photos don’t really do it any justice!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then more wow on my behalf!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I ADORE both of these theaters. I had no idea about the bread dough!! Thanks for sharing this!
LikeLike
These 2 theatres really are treasures. I’m glad I decided to join a tour on impulse 🙂
LikeLike
What a wonderful, and enchanting theater! Thank you for the tour. I bet it’s even more gorgeous in person. Bread dough! That’s amazing! I wonder how they came upon knowing that would work?
LikeLike
From the sound of it after reading a number of other comments, I’m getting the impression that this is a known ‘tool’ used by restorers. Like you, I wonder where the original idea came from.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder if the soft pliable eraser I use when sketching was created with bread dough in mind. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the tour! It looks like it has a wonderful ambiance. I’m glad that they took the time to restore it.
LikeLike
I imagine the cost and effort to restore it was significant, but I think it was totally worth it!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG! When I next get to TO (Lord knows when) I have to see this place. I didn’t even know it existed. Exquisite grandeur – I adore these sort of restorations. Nice tour, Joanne!
LikeLike
I recommend it if you ever get a chance. The outside of the building is quite nondescript and I think it would be easy to overlook it, but the inside is a treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous place. I love old theatres and am always so pleased when they are restored.
LikeLike
The old theatres have a character that’s missing from the modern theatre.
I have a friend who bought an old Art Deco theatre in his home town that had sat neglected for years. He set it up as a non-profit organization and has been restoring it over the past couple of years. He’s been getting considerable support from the local community who are thrilled that the theatre has been reopened for special occasions as the restoration has permitted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How brilliant!!!! Theatre, art deco and community enhancement. That’s about as good as it gets.
LikeLike
I couldn’t agree more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve toured it too. Great space!
LikeLike
I’m guessing you have some great photos!
LikeLike
Not as great as yours but a few! https://scenesto.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/scenes-from-the-elgin-and-winter-garden-theatre-centre/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the walls.
LikeLike
They truly are works of art!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So incredibly beautiful!! Prose & photos!
LikeLike
Thanks Janet 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! I had no idea what the inside of the Wintergarden looked like! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
This place is worth the visit just to experience how unique it really is. I can’t believe it was sealed up for so long. Maybe if it had been left open, it would have been eventually razzed by someone without a sense of how special it is.
LikeLike
Just marvelous, Joanne. Cleveland, where we lived for many years, has a number of wonderful theaters that have been restored and are gorgeous, but this is something unique.
janet
LikeLike
I love discovering wonderful little gems like this 🙂
I’m sure every city has a treasure hidden away that few people know about.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing the amazing photos, Joanne. What lovely old theaters. I’m so glad they are being restored, and that the found items weren’t just loaded into a dumpster (as they might have been if a commercial operation bought the place).
LikeLike
I hadn’t thought of that, but you may be right. I can’t believe no one thought to go and take a look in 60 years!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome post and images Joanne and thank goodness for th Ontario Heritage Foundation for saving these treasures.
LikeLike
I vaguely knew about the Heritage Foundation, but I didn’t realize they actually owned property. Nor did I know that the Elgin and Winter Garden were publicly owned through the Foundation.
I’ve always stayed away from formal tours because of the whole crowd/entourage thing, but I’m learning to pick my moments and so far the experiences have been very good.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a fantastic and interesting theater. :>)
LikeLike
Living in such a relatively young city, venues like this one are such an interesting treat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just added this to my bucket list, Joanne. What a beautiful magical place to see a performance. Stunning creativity. I’m so glad that such painstaking care was taken in its restoration. Thanks for the gorgeous photos and history. 😀
LikeLike
From what I understand, it’s not just the audience who enjoy this theatre. Apparently performers also love to come here because of its intimate setting. The stage is considered small and the theatre sits less than a 1000 people.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to get there someday, Joanne. It’s fabulous!
LikeLike
I hope you’ll let me know when you do 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now, wouldn’t that be fun. It will be a few years, but I’ll get there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful place, very unique. I am also fascinated by the bread dough. I think that would be the last thing I would try. Great pictures.
LikeLike
I’m fascinated by the bread dough too. How does one come up with an idea like that? … and can you imagine the work involved?!! Restorers must have incredible patience and attention to detail … wait, I’m talking to one!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Astonishing treasure!
I have to ask – how do they clean the foliage?
LikeLike
Damn. Good question. I’m going to say I don’t remember, but the truth is I never really knew.
Our tour guide talked about it, but I was often distracted {squirrel!}
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not that do much housekeeping, but you know how it is – the only time I see the cobwebs is when I have people over. I can imagine that there’d be any number of necks craning to look above them in that theater.
What an awesome experience for you – thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I have a radar for spider webs only because I really don’t like spiders. Shudder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Grand Staircase is breathtaking. Bread dough….I would never have thought. So glad they have preserved it, though. It is beautiful.
LikeLike
I was shocked at the bread dough too … and, how exactly does one come to the idea of ‘let’s try raw bread dough’ as a solution?!!
Maybe it’s one of those secret weapons generally known by the restoration people in the world.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Funny thing about the bread dough. I just watched an episode of “Call the Midwife” and one of the characters was cleaning an old oil painting using the same technique. Who knew it was a “thing”? What treasures these theatres are, Joanne. Definitely worth a look next time I’m in Toronto.
LikeLike
Wow – I love interesting coincidences like that! It sounds like bread dough is a real thing used by restorers!!
LikeLiked by 1 person