Location

650 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC
Corner of Hamilton Street and West Georgia in downtown Vancouver.

Seating

Total seating capacity:

• 2,765 standard seats
• 16 wheelchair spaces

Accessibility

• Wheelchair seating on the orchestra and mezzanine levels
• Wheelchair accessible washrooms on the orchestra and mezzanine levels
• Elevator access available from the main lobby to the mezzanine level and the upper balcony
• Hearing assist units and binoculars available at the main lobby coat check
• Accessible parking is available with an accessible parking decal (see below)

Parking

Parking is available at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade; the entrance is off of Cambie Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Streets. Parking is limited, so early arrival is recommended. Other parking locations within a three-block radius of the theatre include:

• Larwill Park: Parking lot across the street from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Street; entrance off Cambie Street (view in Google Maps).
• Vancouver Public Library: Underground lot between West Georgia and Robson Street; entrance off Hamilton Street (view in Google Maps).

Parking rates

Accessible parking

Accessible parking is available at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade with an accessible parking decal. To reserve accessible parking, call 604-665-2193 during the week, at least 24 hours before your event. Have your decal number and ticket information ready when you make your call. An elevator operates from both floors of the parkade to the Plaza Level on Hamilton Street.

Public transit

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre is located: 

• One block west of Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station on Dunsmuir Street (get directions in Google Maps).
• Five blocks east of the Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station on West Georgia Street (get directions in Google Maps).

Children

Vancouver Civic Theatres requires that all audience members, including children, must have a ticket. There are no exemptions to this policy regardless of the child's age.

Latecomers

If you are late to a performance, please be aware that you may not be seated until intermission. Video monitors are available in the theatre lobby to follow the action on stage.

To honour the performance's integrity, the show's producer will determine 24 hours in advance when latecomers may be seated. In some cases, latecomers may be seated in the Balcony. Patrons may move to their purchased seats at the first intermission. In other cases, latecomers may be seated at an appropriate break in the performance.

Performance protocol

Taking photographs and recording performances in theatres is not allowed unless authorized by the promoter or producer. Cameras and recording devices may be confiscated by theatre staff for the duration of the show.

Lost and found

• Phone 604-665-2193

Art gallery

Curated by Emily Carr University, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Art Gallery features work by new or emerging artists. Exhibits change bimonthly.

For additional patron information, call 604-665-3050.

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre is home to a number of Vancouver's non-profit arts organizations who present performances regularly at the theatre.

Resident companies

Ballet British Columbia

Founded in 1986, Ballet British Columbia is an acclaimed collaborative and interactive contemporary ballet company presenting a diverse reportoire of Canadian and international contemporary ballet. Known for its contemporary ballet repertoire, Ballet British Columbia is a primary performer within Vancouver's dance community.

Vancouver Opera

Vancouver Opera is Canada's second largest opera company. It is regarded worldwide for its acclaimed mainstage productions; for its leading educational programs; for its innovative community programs and for its ground-breaking cross-cultural creative partnerships. Founded in 1958, Vancouver Opera moved to the centre of the city's cultural life and continues to expand its role as a major creative, education and collaborative resource in the community.

Presenters

Broadway Across Canada

Broadway Across Canada presents a series of touring Broadway productions including such hits as Wicked, Billy Elliott, and Les Misérables.

Vancouver Christmas Market

The Vancouver Christmas Market has quickly established its home at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza creating a unique focal-point for seasonal shopping and entertainment.

Community events

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre annually hosts graduation ceremonies for regional high-schools and private educational institutions. Community events and cultural shows including presentations from Korea, China, Indonesia, and India are featured at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre regularly.

Touring productions

Rock shows, comedians, ballet companies, and other touring productions regularly appear on the Queen Elizabeth Theatre stage.

Rent the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

Located in downtown Vancouver, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre is the largest theatre in the region, hosting such Broadway shows as The Lion King, Wicked, and Jersey Boys.

View detailed rental information

Seating

• 2,765 standard seats (without orchestra pit)
• 16 wheelchair spaces

Fees

Rates in effect 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013.
All listed rates and fees are subject to taxes applicable to venue rentals.

Receptions

Theatre space make unique reception venues, however, receptions within theatre spaces have limitations. Any stand-alone receptions in these spaces may be pre-empted by a performance up to one month prior to reception date, unless full performance rental is paid. There is no additional rental charge to the Licensee unless outside the five-hour event time allowance.

View detailed reception information (83 kb)

Contact

To rent the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, contact our booking manager,
Peter Kendall (peter.kendall@vancouver.ca).

For general information, call 604-665-3050.

View detailed rental information

History of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre opened on July 5, 1959, with a concert by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. Later that month, Queen Elizabeth II attended a concert at the theatre and officially gave it her name.

The impact of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on the local live entertainment scene was profound. By 1962, major users of the QET included the Vancouver Opera Association, the Vancouver International Festival, the Vancouver Symphony Society, World Adventure Tours, and Famous Artists Limited.

Vancouver's proximity to Seattle helped American promoters extend their western tours of Broadway shows by booking at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Renovations

In the 1960s, serious efforts were made to correct some of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre's flaws. Studies were done to improve the acoustics and the air conditioning, and a new shell was built for the Symphony.

The City decided to move ahead with major renovations when Vancouver was named as the host of Expo 86. The work included altering some existing spaces, and creating new ones to modernize the technical facilities and public areas.

In 1985 and 1986, alterations changed the look of the lobby. The original clean, understated design was replaced with shimmering reflective surfaces, broader columns, and more textured finishes. The theatre lobby was further altered by the construction of the new control room and by banners installed to camouflage the beams beneath the mezzanine.

A number of improvements were made to the theatre's public amenities in 1991 and 1992. Washrooms were expanded, a new concession bar was built in the lobby, and the theatre restaurant was renovated.

A long range capital plan for the three civic theatres was authorized by Council in July 1994, and a strategic plan was prepared by the architects. In the work done in 1996, two elevators were added to the west lobby of the QET, and the entry off of Hamilton Street was redesigned. In 1999, the QET added the salons, which can be rented for conferences and other functions.

In November 2009, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre unveiled a new look following a four-phase renovation which totally changed the auditorium and lobby spaces. Opening the lobby spaces created the new Queen Elizabeth Theatre Art Gallery. Auditorium refurbishments with new theatre seating and acoustically improved panels provide a more vibrant theatrical venue for all.