Royal Alexandra Theatre — Attraction in Toronto

Michael W Write me a review for the Royal Alexandra Theatre The Royal Alexandra Theatre is a historic landmark in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada, and is considered one of the city's most iconic theaters. It has been entertaining audiences for over a century with its stunning design and world-class performances.

Built in 1907, the Royal Alexandra Theatre has maintained its original charm and character, making it a popular destination for theater lovers who appreciate the history and elegance of the venue. The theater has a beautiful interior with ornate decor, intricate moldings, and a stunning chandelier that hangs in the center of the auditorium.

The Royal Alexandra Theatre is renowned for its exceptional performances, featuring a diverse range of shows, from plays to musicals, comedies to dramas. Some of the most notable productions that have been staged at the theater include "Les Miserables," "The Phantom of the Opera," and "The Sound of Music."

The acoustics of the theater are outstanding, and every seat in the house offers a fantastic view of the stage. The theater is relatively small, with seating for just over 1,000 patrons, creating an intimate and immersive experience that allows you to feel close to the performers.

In addition to its impressive performances, the Royal Alexandra Theatre is located in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district, providing visitors with a wide range of dining and entertainment options before or after the show. The theater is easily accessible by public transportation, and there are several parking garages nearby for those who prefer to drive.

In summary, the Royal Alexandra Theatre is a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates the arts and history. Its elegant design, exceptional acoustics, and outstanding performances make it one of the best theaters in the city, and its central location makes it a convenient and accessible destination for locals and...

Modern theatres look like IKEA compared to the Royal Alexandra theatre.

Back in the days, this was how all the theatres looked like. There is luxury and extravagance in the décor. The seats are lined with plush velvet. Columns and trims around stage appear to be hand carved by artisans. At the top center of the stage there is a beautiful painting from the Victorian era. Today's theatres are very simple and utilitarian.

There are three levels in this theatre: orchestra, mezzanine and a balcony. Seating capacity is about 1200 seats. Along the side of each level are box seats for the VIPs. The theatre caters to live acts throughout the year but I was there to a watch a midnight madness movie during TIFF.

The venue was a good choice for screening movies as it is not too big, like the Princess of Whales or Roy Thomson Hall. At those theatres, the screen can appear tiny and distorted if you are sitting far away or high up in the balcony. The sound is horrible at Princess of Whales, acoustics are very echoey.

Outside there is red carpet area for the stars but this year the writers and actors were on strike, and the star attraction was a raccoon roaming the top of the canopy.

This theatre replaced the Elgin and Ryerson theatres after the pandemic. It is a beautiful theatre and should be utilized more by TIFF. The Elgin theatre is also a good venue but it is a bit far away and removed from the action. The Royal Alexandra fits perfectly with the other venues and is within walking distance from all the other theatres involved with the festival.

The Royal Alexandra is a keeper and winner...

Smashing IT!

It's grand. It's majestic. It's breathtaking!

If you're a true theatre connoisseur then this is the perfect place for you to truly enjoy and take in all of the magical essence of the theatre world.

The Royal Alexandra is like no other theatre. Take in a show whether it's a theatre production or a film during TIFF, also the seating design is set up so it really doesn't matter where you sit. The view from all areas of the Royal Alexandra are just perfect!

Below is a little snippet of it's Historical Beginnings taken from the Mirvish Production Website.

"The Royal Alexandra Theatre is a national historic landmark – the oldest continuously operating legitimate theatre in North America and the continent’s first truly “royal” theatre, granted official letters patent by Edward VII entitling it to the royal designation, along with his permission to name it after his consort, Alexandra. Built in 1907 by Cawthra Mulock (Toronto’s “boy millionaire”), and designed by John M Lyle, it is a masterpiece of beaux-arts architecture that also holds distinction as the city’s first steel-framed structure (allowing cantilevered balconies), one of the first “air-conditioned” buildings in North America, and the first theatre to be deemed legitimately “fireproof”. Its proscenium-stage has seen almost 3400 productions since its opening and has been graced by such legendary performers as John Gielgud, Mary Pickford, the Marx Brothers, Edith Piaf, Paul Robeson… to name just a few." © 2024...