Roy Thomson Hall — Attraction in Toronto

Was there for the TSO April 27th performance. It is difficult to find the words to describe how utterly, and devastatingly bad it was. They are, and were capable of doing a good performance, the second act was proof of it. The first act, both compositions, must have been a deliberate attempt to disappoint and destroy one's appreciation of music, as a whole. I would say they've professionally recreated the experience you'd expect going to the see the first music recital, from grade school children, who have have only begun learning how to play, and this is the second time they've played the music. I believe that the people who decided to green light the decision to play these compositions must activity hate music, and detest competent musicians. This must have been a punishment for the musicians to play the first two acts. The final act was probably done so it couldn't be view and cruel and unusual torture. I know the musicians were more than capable of doing a good job, despite what they were forced to play. If I did not already know what the final act was, and believed that they wouldn't intentionally ruin it, I would have walked out immediately. It was only my disbelief that kept me in my seat, falsely believing that it couldn't get worse. I was wrong. If I ever dare go back, it would only be with a schedule, so I could skip over whatever atrocities they decided to showcase under the guise of the competent work that headline the performance. The write up didn't hide this. In the write up for the first act, one composition was listed as, at best, getting mixed reviews in it's releases. The other composition took pride in (quote)"distorts the music until there is nothing left...". The only talent on display was the write up for these pieces. Any concept or idea present was hidden, buried under incompetence, lack of talent, and/or an apparent hatred of the audience, as far as I could see. There was certainly subversion, as listed in the write up. I went in looking forward to good music, vetted by professionals, competently written, and well performed. This expectation was subverted with a performance that left me utterly disappointed, and feeling sorry for the musicians...

I’m extremely disappointed by the lack of audience management and staff response at Roy Thomson Hall during the symphony concert “Music At The Movies: A Tribute to John Williams” on September 26, 2025.

Throughout the performance, a child repeatedly stood up and leaned his entire body over the railing directly in front of me. Not only was this behaviour unsafe and dangerous, especially in a concert hall with multi-level seating, but it also completely blocked my view of the stage and significantly impacted my ability to enjoy the concert.

Audience members behind him, including myself, were visibly uncomfortable and distracted. Several people tried to politely address the issue — yet the child's mother completely ignored the warnings and allowed the behaviour to continue without any concern for others.

I reported the issue to the staff member responsible for our section — expecting some level of action or at the very least, an acknowledgment. But instead, I was met with indifference. The staff person did absolutely nothing. She didn’t approach the family, didn’t offer support, and showed no concern for the safety issue or the disrupted experience of the guests nearby. In that moment, it was made clear that Roy Thomson Hall staff were unwilling — or untrained — to deal with serious audience disruptions.

This is unacceptable on multiple levels. Not only did this situation compromise the safety of a child, but it ruined the concert experience for many guests, including myself and those around me. The fact that the staff knowingly chose not to act — even when directly informed — shows a complete lack of professionalism and accountability.

For a venue as prestigious as Roy Thomson Hall, I expected far better crowd management, safety awareness, and respect for paying guests. It’s incredibly disappointing that disruptive behavior like this was tolerated — and worse, that staff simply turned a blind eye to it.

If Roy Thomson Hall wants to maintain its reputation and justify its ticket prices, it needs to train its staff to take guest concerns seriously and ensure that basic safety and etiquette are enforced during...

Roy Thomson Hall is distinguished as a premier concert venue admired for its superior acoustics and its role as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's home. Nestled in downtown Toronto's thriving entertainment district, the venue enjoys a privileged location and effortless connectivity to public transportation, making it a treasured cultural landmark. Inaugurated in 1982, the hall's unique circular design is characterized by a sloping and curvilinear glass exterior, a testament to the creative vision of celebrated Canadian architects Arthur Erickson and Mathers and Haldenby.

Impressive is the Modern architectural style's incorporation of a circular footprint and glass curtain wall enclosure, particularly the precast concrete mansard roof, which embodies a minimalist aesthetic. The design respects Erickson's minimalist aesthetic through a thoughtful material palette, featuring acid-etched mirror, grey porcelain tile, white Corian, and white powder-coated metal. A notable feature of the wine bar is a series of pivoting panels crafted from twisted powder-coated vertical aluminum fins.

Accommodating 2,630 guests, the hall features a pipe organ built by celebrated Canadian organ builder Gabriel Kney. This space is thoughtfully designed to enhance the appreciation of orchestras and classical music. The acoustics are flawlessly executed, creating a captivating experience. The hall's design harmoniously balances aesthetics and functionality, providing panoramic views from every vantage point, including the balcony.

I recently attended an outstanding Japanese drum (taiko) show performed by Todo Company. The performance was incredibly spectacular and impressive. The drums were hypnotic, transporting the audience to a fantastical world. The entire two-hour show was thoroughly enjoyable. The sound quality was magnificent. Ample paid parking options were available around the hall, including underground parking. The venue was also easily accessible by TTC. The staff's courteous and friendly demeanor created a welcoming atmosphere...