Pantages Playhouse Theatre National Historic Site of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Posted by: 
colincan
N 49° 53.949 W 097° 08.285
14U E 633713 N 5529079
Pantages Playhouse Theatre, built 1913-1914, was a lavish vaudeville and movie picture theatre which was part of the Alexander Pantages multi-million dollar empire which circulated live acts and movie pictures across North America.
Waymark Code: WM9Z1Q
Location: Manitoba, Canada
Date Posted: 10/19/2010
Views: 12
In the early 20th century Seattle’s Alexander Pantages, of Greek origin, built theatres in the United States and Canada to compete with other theatre empires such as those of the Loews and Keith chains. To outdo his competitors and make going to the movies and live vaudeville a real experience, his theatres were opulent. Over 70 theatres were built for him, this one in Winnipeg in 1913-1914. In fact it became a production centre for the circuit and the place where acts were conceived and perfected. The likes of Houdini and Laurel and Hardy appeared on stage here. Few of the chain remain. The interior was decked out with expensive draperies, furnishings and carpets. The architect was Benjamin Priteca. Winnipeg is a hotbed of notable theatres if one considers it has amongst its fine collection these other national historic sites, the Walker and Metropolitan Theatres and the Manitoba Theatre Centre. Pantages Theatre, renamed the Playhouse Theatre in 1923, was designated an historic site in 1985 and a federal plaque to commemorate it was erected in 1989. The plaque is on an interior wall of the side lobby.
Classification: National Historic Site
Province or Territory: Manitoba
Location - City name/Town name: Winnipeg
Link to Parks Canada entry (must be on www.pc.gc.ca): [Web Link]
Link to HistoricPlaces.ca: [Web Link]
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