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.
