Last of an Era
With two completely separate and distinctive theatres, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the last operating double-decker theatre in the world. Now a National Historic site that is owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the Theatre is located in the heart of downtown, in close proximity to shopping, accommodations, public transit, and ample parking facilities. Dedicated to providing theatre-goers with the best in Canadian and international entertainment, the productions featured here range from musicals, comedies, and concerts, to dramas, operas, and Toronto International Film Festival screenings.

Architecture Anomaly
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre is more than just preserved example of building design. Its design betraying changes in entertainment trends, its architectural style provides links between the nickelodeon, vaudeville, and movie palace eras. Indeed, during its restoration, 28 layers of paint were removed from the original surface of the Thomas Lamb Lobby. During that same restoration, moreover, the world’s largest collection of vaudeville scenery was discovered, and included hand-painted flats and drops dating from 1913. Three of those pieces have since been restored themselves, and are now on display.

Seeing the Sites
he National Historic Site of architecture that it is, the Elgin and Winter Garden offers guided tours for the public and groups. Displays and exhibits are featured all throughout the venue, and guides provide insight into their various details. Tours last one and a half hours, and cover both theatres, new and restored lobbies and lounges, as well as an original dressing room and a backstage exhibit containing artifacts from the early 1900s and samples of original vaudeville scenery.