Theatre entertainment in Canada
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A
Belfry Theatre
The excellent Belfry Theatre is a showcase for contemporary, especially Canadian, plays and is one of the country's most respected independent theatre companies. It's housed in a converted 1890s Baptist church.
reviewed
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B
Théâtre du Rideau Vert
This quality French-language venue has an elegant stage that’s well suited to classic plays. Its lineup includes both repertory and contemporary works with a preference for timeless works, like a French-language performance of the Jewish classic Fiddler on the Roof ! The theater’s stage designs, costumes and lighting have earned accolades.
reviewed
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C
Saidye Bronfman Centre
Montréal’s Jewish theater stages dramatic performances in English, Yiddish and Hebrew – although as one of the city’s most prominent professional theater venues, plays presented are by no means exclusively Jewish. The center also hosts a variety of other arts events throughout the year, including dance and musical recitals, puppet shows and readings.
reviewed
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D
Station C
Alternative plays, circus and art exhibitions are held in this Village post-industrial space with living-room furniture. Some events have a gay flavor (this being the Village after all) but the artistic objective is much broader. It's worth a visit if only for the nonsensical whizz-bang machines by Florent Veilleux, a permanent exhibit.
reviewed
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E
Monument-National
Shows here run the gamut from Oscar Wilde to Sam Shepard with everything from acting, directing and technical production performed by graduating students of the National Theatre School. There are two halls, one with 800 seats, the other with 150. The smaller theater stages about three original works a year by student playwrights.
reviewed
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Théâtre Ste-Catherine
From improv to theater, stand-up comedy to music concerts, this relatively new venue presents a variety of shows: Oscar Wilde one night, burlesque dance the next. Its Sunday Night Improv (sketch and comedy) performances are quite popular with the city’s theatrical community. Admission for the improv is $7, $5 for students.
reviewed
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F
Usine C
This former jam factory in the Village is home to the award-winning Carbone 14 theatrical dance troupe that performs here regularly. Its two flexible halls (450 and 150 seats) can be rejigged to accommodate circuses or raves. To bump into its talented performers, head for the cozy basement café next to the changing rooms.
reviewed
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G
Théâtre Outremont
Built in 1929, this theater was both a repertory cinema and a major concert hall until it was shuttered in the late 1980s. The municipality of Outremont later brought it back to life and the theater was reopened in 2001. Now, everything from pop concerts and dance performances to Monday-evening film screenings take place here.
reviewed
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H
Les Gros Becs
Devoted to shows for children and young people, this is a brilliantly creative company. Even its website is stunning, full of animation and cartoons on how to get young people interested in live theater (unfortunately, it’s in French only). All shows listed in its schedules have labels with suggested age limits.
reviewed
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I
Théâtre St-Denis
This Montréal landmark and historic movie house hosts touring Broadway productions, rock concerts and various theatrical and musical performances. Its two halls (930 and 2200 seats) are equipped with the latest sound and lighting gizmos and figure prominently in the Just for Laughs festival.
reviewed
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J
Théâtre du Nouveau Monde
The New World Theater specializes in classic dramas like Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Molière’s Les Précieuses Ridicules. The French-language venue is a 1912 movie house and theater renovated in 1996, now with snappy technical gear. There are matinee and evening performances.
reviewed
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K
Centaur Theatre
Montréal’s chief English-language theater presents everything from Shakespearean classics to works by experimental Canadian playwrights. It occupies Montréal’s former stock exchange (1903), a striking building with classical columns.
reviewed
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L
Théâtre la Chapelle
This little mecca of contemporary works presents cutting-edge theater and dance. It’s also a studio space for artistic creation, aiming to mentor and encourage young, cutting-edge artists while contributing new energy to the city’s cultural life.
reviewed
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M
Dream in High Park
Through Toronto's long summer evenings, CanStage's annual presentation of Shakespeare happens under the stars in High Park. Expect Much Ado About Nothing, or The Comedy of Errors perhaps. Show up early and take a blanket.
reviewed
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N
Théâtre de Verdure
This open-air theater hosts musical, dance and drama events in the summer months, and something of a folk-festival atmosphere prevails. Movies are also shown on a big pondside screen, and everyone shows up with blankets and ice chests.
reviewed
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O
Kelowna Community Theatre
Kelowna Community Theatre is a venue for music and theater. The Sunshine Theatre Company (www.sunshinetheatre.org) stages a range of productions at both Rotary Centre for the Performing Arts and Kelowna Actors Studio.
reviewed
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P
St Lawrence Centre for the Arts
The 880-seat St Lawrence Centre for the Arts functions as a second, larger venue for CanStage, and also hosts dance, classical and contemporary music, opera, operetta and musicals.
reviewed
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Q
Le Grand Théâtre de Québec
Le Grand Théâtre is the city’s main performing-arts center with a steady diet of top-quality classical concerts, dance and theater. The Opéra de Québec also performs here.
reviewed
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R
Le Théâtre Capitole
A terrific, historic old theater that now stages everything from musicals to concerts. Check out the sumptuous attached hotel. This is where Hitchcock held his I Confess premiere.
reviewed
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S
Globe Theatre
The local cast of players puts on contemporary theatrical presentations in the round. Constantly garnering rave reviews, this is a recognized cultural arts institution in Regina.
reviewed
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T
Théâtre de Quat’ Sous
Housed in a former synagogue, this cozy theater is a launchpad for the careers of young singers, directors and playwrights. Its forte is intellectual and experimental drama.
reviewed
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U
Magnus Theatre
This professional theater company has premiered some now-classic Canadian works, while also drawing on an international repertoire. Entry to the theater is off Waverley St.
reviewed
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Piggery Theatre
English-language dramas play at Piggery Theatre in North Hatley, and there’s a choice of antique and craft shops as well as galleries in town.
reviewed
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V
Théâtre Petit-Champlain
Theater productions take place here in the summer. The rest of the year this is a great place to see Québec’s most popular singing stars like Lynda Lemay.
reviewed
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W
Resource Centre for the Arts
The center sponsors theater, dance and visual art by Newfoundland artists, all of which is staged downtown in the former longshoremen's union hall (aka LSPU Hall).
reviewed
