The York Theatre Story
From the Save the York Theatre Society
A group of community members who are interested in saving and restoring the York Theatre met at City Hall on December 6, 2007 with the new owner of the York Theatre and a number of representatives from the Planning Department, Cultural Affairs, and Heritage Group for the City of Vancouver.
The History and Vision for the York Theatre tells the story of why the York Theatre should be saved and restored. Click here
It was clear from this meeting that the new owner and developer, Paul Phillips of Edge Homes, has no interest in preserving the theatre. During the city strike, he was led to believe there would be no opposition to the demolition of the theatre and a townhouse development.
It is now clear that there is considerable support from the community for restoring and maintaining the theatre from the many letters and emails members of the community wrote to City Council. Our work is not over. The developer has a vested interest in this property and every day that goes by costs him money.
It is urgent that we communicate our desire to preserve this cultural facility and to act quickly to find a solution that will work for the developer and the community.
Recently we lost the historic Imperial Theatre, most recently known as the Venus Theatre, on Main at Union Street. Though rundown in recent years, this was still a restorable and usable purpose-built theatre, discovered to be in excellent condition once the demolition started. It opened in 1912 with a performance of Il Trovatore.
Also lost recently is the lovely art deco turret building at Georgia and Richards, formerly used as the Fido display and sales centre. We must stop this demolition of our architectural and cultural heritage.
The Opportunity to Save The York Theatre
Buy the York Theatre. The contribution is clear. The risk of losing any capital invested is low. Financing can be arranged to make costs tax deductible. The community will appreciate the contribution, and the opportunity is open to be part of the creative team. It could be an individual, a foundation, a business, or a community organization like the Coal Harbour Society, or a cooperative of contributors.
Tom Durrie
Save the York Theatre Society
email tdurrie@telus.net
604-215-0019
Contributors to the Save the York Theatre Society
Clifford Cox, Dr. Stephen Drance, Tom Durrie, David Galpin, Christopher Gaze, Spencer Massie, Heather Redfern, José Verstappen
Thank you for letting me know that The York Theatre is in danger. “Help”
should be screamed over the city. This theatre must not be torn down or renovated to become anything else other than the venue for which is was lovingly built and maintained over the years.
Its heritage is well known. When I was Artistic Director of The Vancouver Little Theatre, I remember so well celebrating its 50th, or it could have been 60th anniversary. On the stage and in the audience were Vancouver’s elite who got their start on the York’s stage: Freddie Wood, Dorothy Somerset, Jessie Richardson, Joy Coghill, Joy Metcalfe, and more and more and more.
The York changed my life beginning in 1953. My first role was in the one act, Sunny Morning, directed by Joan Hall and I was thrilled that we won the one-act play festival of BC. My second role was in Darkness at Noon, directed by Ian Thorne and starring Ivar Harries and later, in the Dominion Drama Festival, when we performed in Sherbrook Quebec. Afterwards, back in the east, John Reed convinced Bill Buck and me to go to New York for three days before heading back to Vancouver. Talk about a heady, life-changing experience!
From that time, I was a changed man. Theatre had bitten hard. I got my BA and MA in Theatre and in 1965 became Artistic Director of The Vancouver Little Theatre, staging countless productions in the York Theatre, including festival winners like Strindberg’s The Father, and Beverley Simons’ The Elephant and the Jewish Questions. Each year I held original play-writing events. I remember well Doris Chilcott starring in M R S Supermom, by Marjorie Morris. (I have three huge scrapbooks of a veritible history of productions that were the only ones entertaining Vancouverites.)
I left Vancouver and the York Theatre in 1977 to work in London. Upon my return,
I was saddened to discover that the Vancouver Little Theatre had given up the York Theatre and have watched, over the past years , this positively wonderful theatre hungrily wait for someone to bring back its glory days.
The York Theatre must not be torn down, must not be turned into anything else other than a live-theatre venue.
I’m forwarding my letter to some of those who also made the York their home for many years and will be filled with grand memories of their involvement there and WILL WANT TO ADD “THEIR LETTER” TO MY LETTER AND SEND IT TO THE SAME POWERS-THAT-BE WHO CAN SAVE SAVE SAVE SAVE THE YORK THEATRE.
IT WILL BE SO EASY–WITH JUST A SMALL EFFORT–TO CREATE A VANCOUVER JEWEL OF A THEATRE ON COMMERCIAL: THE “NEW” YORK THEATRE.
DON’T HESITATE. ADD TO MY LETTER AND SEND IT TO MANY MANY PEOPLE WHO WILL SUPPORT THE SAVE-THE-YORK DRIVE. HOW DID THE YORK THEATRE CHANGE YOUR LIFE?
by John F. Parker — January 17, 2008 @ 5:05 pm