This center is one of the last operating double-decker theater
complexes in the world, being two former vaudeville halls built
one on top of the other. This gem underwent a $30 million restoration,
reopening to its once grand state at the beginning of the ‘90s.
The restoration process has one very interesting fact: the walls
of the Winter Garden were cleaned with hundreds of pounds of raw
bread dough, as not to damage the original hand- painted water
color art work!
During its vaudeville heyday from 1913-1928, legends like George
Burns, Gracie Allen and Charlie McCarthy performed here. The Elgin’s
ornate interior is decorated as gold leaf, opera boxes and plaster
cherubs. The Winter Garden has a nature theme, with hand painted
walls and ceilings to resemble a garden.
The Elgin, suited to musicals, has 1500 seats. The Winter Garden
located upstairs is a bit smaller with 1000 seats. Guided tours
are given Thursdays at 5pm and Saturdays at 11AM. The Elgin/Winter
Garden Theatre Centre is midtown at 189 Yonge Street.