Arriba. Martin de. “Theatre Seats.” 2019. JPG file. / Pixabay

In the wake of an ongoing pandemic, most live theatres are understandably on hiatus. The famed Vancouver Civic Theatres are no different. However, today I will give a brief introduction to each of the five locales so that you may look forward to visiting them someday. Hosting over 800 events a year and 800,000 guests, the five venues combined are Vancouver’s biggest locations for live performances.

The biggest and perhaps the most famous one of the five is the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. With a whopping 2765 seats, this is one of the largest stages in the entirety of Canada. The theatre is named after her majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was present when it opened in 1959. Located on 630 Hamilton Street, this downtown locale impresses onlookers nonstop.

The second biggest venue is the Orpheum. With a seating capacity of 2672, this place actually predates the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at an astonishing 94 years of operation, opening in 1927. This theatre is most widely known as the home for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, as well as a variety of Vancouver’s many choir ensembles.

Taking a more cozy approach, the third biggest venue in the Civic Theatres is the Vancouver Playhouse. With a more vibrant and colourful setting, this 668-capacity venue has brilliant acoustics, perfect for the likes of chamber music.

Adjacent to the Orpheum is the Annex, a 191-seater that is a relatively new addition to the Civil Theatres family. It opened in 2010 and was created to be a more versatile performance venue that could adapt to a wide variety of shows. Its limited space is in fact one of its biggest strengths. The close proximity of the audience allows for dance numbers to be seen at with great detail, which is deserving of such a craft.

The final venue is in fact not a theatre at all, instead the šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn is a plaza. Now you’re probably wondering how to pronounce that right? Click on the link in the name to listen to a pronunciation guide! Its core strength is its outdoor setting and blank canvas. It can be decorated and adjusted to fit any mood needed, and host a wide variety of events. It is right outside of Queen Elizabeth Theatre, and serves as a perfect place for an afterparty following an amazing performance!