Location

600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver, BC

Seating

	668 standard seats 5 wheelchair spaces
Download seating plan

Accessibility

• Wheelchair seating on orchestra level
• Elevator access between the main lobby and balcony
• Hearing aid receivers and binoculars at the main lobby coat check
• Accessible parking available with an accessible parking decal

Children

Please note that as of January 1, 2012, 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, ushers will seat you during a break in the performance.

Out of consideration for patrons who arrived on time, you may be seated at the back of the Mezzanine or Balcony until the first intermission, when you can move to your seat.

For some performances, seating will not be possible until first intermission. While waiting, you can follow the action on stage on the video monitors in the theatre lobby.

Lost and found

• Call 604-665-2193

Parking

Enter the parkade for the Vancouver Playhouse off Cambie Street. There is no guarantee of parking, even with a ticket to an event, unless you have an accessible parking decal.

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

Resident companies

Resident companies are the non-profit groups who perform regularly at the theatre. They offer the finest in local theatre, music, dance, and opera.

Vancouver Recital Society

The Vancouver Recital Society was formed in 1980 and has presented award winning artists such as Yo-Yo Ma.

Friends of Chamber Music

Formed in 1948 to promote chamber music, the Friends of Chamber Music is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Vancouver.

DanceHouse

DanceHouse premiered in 2008 with a program of globally celebrated contemporary dance companies and artists.

Rent the Vancouver Playhouse for your production. The Playhouse is located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, next to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Seating

• 668 standard seats
• 5 wheelchair spaces

Fees

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

Contact

Contact our booking manager to rent a theatre:

Phone: 604-665-3028

Email: peter.kendall@vancouver.ca

View detailed rental information

History of the Vancouver Playhouse

The Vancouver Playhouse was originally called the Queen Elizabeth Playhouse. The Playhouse was built in 1960 and completed in June 1961, with opening ceremonies in February 1962.

Architecture and design

The architecture of the Playhouse is similar to that of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET). The aluminum curtain wall, buff brick side wall, interior finishes, signage and details compliment QET's style.

Alterations of the QET and Playhouse in 1985 and 1986 changed the original character of the two lobbies.

The original clean, understated design was replaced by reflective surfaces, broader columns and more textured finish.

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

The Playhouse Theatre Company

At one time, the Playhouse was too expensive for most amateur groups to rent. The Community Arts Council responded by exploring the possibility of establishing a professional company for the theatre. 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 Festival Concert Society.