Legends and Icons Launch Pantages Theatre Restoration

By Pantages Theatre Arts Society (April 16, 2008)

Pantages Theatre Organizers Break Two-Year Silence

April 17, 2008: Legends and icons of Vancouver’s theatrical past and present joined members of the Pantages Theatre Arts Society yesterday, Wednesday, April 16, in announcing plans for the restoration of the Pantages Theatre in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side.

Dal Richards, Joy Coghill, Dalannah Gail Bowen, Roma Hearn, and Christopher Gaze were among the celebrated entertainers on stage for a private tour, media conference and variety show held to showcase this beautiful venue, and offer a glimpse of its past and a taste of things to come.

Also in the house for the announcement were tap legend Jeni LeGon, and opera star Judith Forst, who is scheduled to sing the title role in the new Margaret Atwood chamber opera ‘Pauline’ during the Pantages first season upon reopening. Most Vancouver City Councillors were also present, along with planner Ray Spaxman, and well-known businessman Albert Fok.

Announced Wednesday by owner and developer Marc Williams and Pantages Theatre Arts Society president Peter Fairchild were:

-Full details of the restoration plan;

-The submission to the City of Vancouver of the Pantages Business Plan, detailing the expected costs of the $26 million restoration, which will be partly financed by bonus density transfers to a site elsewhere in the City, and by provincial and federal support, details of which are currently being negotiated;

-The inclusion of approximately 130 units of affordable housing as part of an overall redevelopment plan that includes four addresses adjacent to the theatre;

-The confirmation of three resident companies for the theatre: Vancouver Moving Theatre, Vancouver Cantonese Opera, and City Opera Vancouver;

-Arrangements for a Special Residency agreement with the CBC for recording, broadcast and concert purposes; with the SFU School for the Contemporary Arts; with the UBC Department of Theatre; and, plans for an adjacent 99-seat Studio Theatre.

-The announcement of a founding $1 million Endowment Fund donation by a local philanthropist, who believes in the vision of renewal and hope for the Downtown Eastside.

-The announcement of a second entrance to the theatre, at 127 East Pender, made available without charge by the esteemed Lee family of Chinatown.

The afternoon opened with a First Nations blessing by Squamish Elder Sam George and a performance by Dal Richards of I’m Always Chasing Rainbows and Gail Dalannah Bowen singing Shine On Harvest Moon, and closed with former CBC TV star Roma Hearn’s rendition of Stephen Sondheim’s I’m Still Here.

The program also included turns by the afternoon’s emcee, Bard on the Beach founder Christopher Gaze, and, theatre legend Joy Coghill who presented the Oh for a Muse of Fire scene from Henry V and an amusing excerpt from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. Vancouver Moving Theatre’s Jim Sands contributed a scene from A Downtown Eastside Romeo and Juliet, an original tragic-comedy inspired by the old tale of Romeo and Juliet and everyday life on our Downtown Eastside streets.

“The theatre will seat 650. It has a superb acoustic, said Peter Fairchiid in making the announcement. “It will be totally wired for the 21st century with the finest technology available, but will visually be restored it’s original turn-of-the-century grandeur,”

“I have lived in the Downtown Eastside for over 12 years”, said Mr. Fairchild. “I have been working on the Pantages for over two years. I understand the difference it will make, and its role in the renaissance of our neighbourhood. We currently have more artists per capita than in any other Canadian postal code. The Pantages will make the arts -- even more -- a force for hope and recovery,” said Fairchild.

“As developer of this joint public-private project, I share Peter’s vision,” says Marc Williams, owner of the Pantages. “I see it as the best way to protect a unique heritage structure and to add to the immense creative life already present here. As a businessman, I see tremendous hope and revival ahead. The Pantages Theatre will make a major contribution, and I am proud to be part of it.”

“We wish to thank the dozens of people who have written to the Mayor and Council in support of the Pantages, said Mr. Fairchild. “We also thank City of Vancouver staff members who have offered practical criticism, guidance and support at every step. We are truly excited that the hard work of so many people over the past two years has enabled us to make today’s unique announcement.”

Further information at www.vancouverpantages.com.