History of the Vancouver Playhouse

In October 1956, City Council approved the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Complex and divided the construction of the theatre complex into two distinct phases. The large auditorium was to be built first, followed by the smaller playhouse.

The design consisted of five major elements

• The outdoor plaza with parking garage
• The lobby, a transparent glass shell
• The QET auditorium
• The seven-storey stage house
• The Vancouver Playhouse

Construction on the small theatre, originally called the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse, began in the spring of 1960.

Like the QET, the Vancouver Playhouse was affected by the inaccuracy of the original cost estimates, a shortage of funds and construction overruns. Once again, the original expensive materials and rich finishes were highlighted as the best items for cost-cutting, because they would not affect theatre performance and would not involve issues of safety. In June 1961, the Playhouse was completed with opening ceremonies and dedication taking place the following February.

The architectural language of the Playhouse is congruous with that of the QET. The aluminum curtain wall, buff brick side wall, interior finishes, signage and details respect the larger QET to the south. The Playhouse accommodated a number of shared functions, including mechanical/boiler rooms, rehearsal hall, offices and storage areas.

Use of the Playhouse was problematic and proved too expensive for most amateur groups to rent. The Community Arts Council responded by exploring the possibility of establishing a professional company for the facility. As a result, the Vancouver Theatre Centre, which operated the Playhouse Theatre Company, was formed in November 1962 with a mandate to provide professional live theatre in Vancouver. Other regular users of the Playhouse were the Friends of Chamber Music, Vancouver Women’s Music Club, Women’s Canadian Club and the now-defunct Festival Concert Society.

Alterations of the QET and Playhouse in 1985-86 changed the original character of the two lobbies. The original clean, precise, rectilinear design, which relied for decorative effects on the contrast of understated materials and finishes, was replaced by reflective surfaces, broader columns and more textured finished. A dated, but classically timeless, interior of the 1950s was replaced by a far more dated interior of the 1980s.

The most recently completed renovations restored the language of the original 1962 lobby with contemporary colours and patterns.

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