Ed Mirvish Theatre (Formerly the Canon Theatre)

Since opening in 1920, the Ed Mirvish Theatre has been both a venue for drama as well as the subject of drama

The Ed Mirvish Theatre
The Ed Mirvish Theatre cc licensed photo by Tilling 67

Originally opened in 1920 as the Pantages Theatre, the Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto was a motion picture house and vaudeville theatre. At the time it was Canada's largest cinema with 3373 seats. It was built by the founder of the Famous Players Corporation Nathan Nathanson and designed by renowned theatre architect Thomas Lamb.

In 1930 the theatre was renamed the Imperial and was used exclusively for cinema. Forty-two years later in 1972 the interior of the theatre was divided up and converted into a 6 theatre cinema. In 1986 Famous Players lost its lease on the Yonge Street entrance to the theatre to Cineplex Odeon which resulted in a bitter legal battle for control of the theatre. In the end Cineplex Odeon was able to purchase the entire theatre from Famous Players and in 1988 Cineplex removed all the dividing partitions and painstakingly restored the theatre to it's original 1920's design and elegance, but with 2200 seats. In 2001 the theatre was again renamed to the Canon Theatre due to support pledged by the Canon Canada Corporation.

In 2008 Mirvish Productions who own the Royal Alexandra Theatre and the Princess of Wales Theatre also acquired the Canon theatre and have recently renamed it the Ed Mirvish Theatre.

For additional information about the Ed Mirvish Theatre and upcoming shows and events see the official website link below.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Address: 244 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 1V8, Canada

Phone: (800) 461-3333

Official Website: Ed Mirvish Theatre

Ed Mirvish Theatre Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating Fantastic medium-sized theatre with glistening architectural details, showing itself to be a peak mixture of 1930 architectural movements. Little bit of Art Decor here, a little bit of Beaux Arts there. The seats positioning is very well designed (even for the back of the circle, no parts of the performance is lost). As long as the building stands, Toronto history stands.
Phuc Hai Tran - 4 weeks ago

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4 Star Rating Beautiful smaller theatre that has a wonderful charm. Conveniently located in Toronto by the Eaton Centre this theatre houses great playa and musicals. I recently went and was surprised at the grandeur of the place. Tickets I purchased were in the orchestra level farther back and I was happy to know my seats were great and pretty much almost seating in the orchestra gives a great view of the stage. Concession area is simple. I bought pop and wasn’t overly gouged $4.75. My seats were comfortable although spaces are a tiny bit tight. I guess standard at theatres. Sound was great and atmosphere great. Staff was friendly can’t wait to go back to see another show!
Susan Abraham - 4 months ago

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5 Star Rating Beautiful theatre, recommend going few minutes early to explore it's lobby and the architecture. The staff were very efficient, knowledgeable and courteous. The seats are packed a bit closely, acoustics are wonderful
Krishna Prasad - 3 months ago

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4 Star Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I've had the pleasure of attending several productions at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, with the most recent being the spectacular Harry Potter production. This historic venue never fails to impress, & I can confidently say it's one of the best theatres in downtown Toronto. The seating at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre is simply amazing, & there truly isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether you're up close or in the balcony, the view is fantastic, providing an immersive experience for every member of the audience. The sound quality in this theatre is exceptional, a crucial factor when enjoying musicals like Harry Potter. The clarity & richness of the audio enhance the overall theatrical experience, making it a treat for the senses. One aspect that consistently contributes to the positive atmosphere is the friendly & helpful staff. In all my visits, I've never encountered an unpleasant staff member. Their positive energy adds to the enjoyment of the overall experience, creating a welcoming environment for theater goers. Located right in the heart of downtown Toronto, the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre's central location is convenient but comes with a parking challenge. While there isn't dedicated parking for the theatre, various Green P parking lots & other paid options are available nearby. For an efficient and stress-free journey, I recommend using the Go Train & TTC subway to reach the venue. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre to anyone seeking a top-notch theatrical experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this venue offers a memorable & enjoyable time, especially if the performance aligns with your interests.
Amber Stevenson - 2 months ago

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4 Star Rating I saw In Dreams last week and had an amazing time! I was sitting in the very back row ground floor and I still had a great, unobstructed view of the stage. The staff were very nice, as always, and the place is very well kept, including the washrooms. There were only two things I didn’t love. The first one being the fact that I almost didn’t make it into the theatre. I got there on time, was in line to get in and as I was getting closer to have my ticket scanned at the door I heard the announcement that the show was about to begin and they would close the doors! Perhaps more than 2 ticket scanner attendants at the door would go through the line faster. Though I understand it wasn’t their fault; getting closer to the door I saw a group of older ladies seemingly fight their phones to get their tickets ready to scan. The second thing was just how tightly crowded it gets during intermission and after the show. I also understand not much can be done on that front but it was still uncomfortable.
Diego Sánchez - 5 months ago

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Directions

TTC Subway Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Yonge-University-SpadinaDundas Station3 Minutes

How to get to Ed Mirvish Theatre by TTC Subway

No buses needed. From Dundas Station walk 1 block east along Dundas Street to Victoria Street and go south (right) for ½ block. The Ed Mirvish Theatre is on your right.

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