History of the Grand Theatre
Martin's Opera House was built in 1879 by William C. Martin, a businessman and supporter of the arts. The theatre experiences great success as it presented over 1200 live performances including opera, minstrels, band concerts and such traveling celebrities as Oscar Wilde.
Early program |
In 1889, it presented Canada's first opera, Leo, the Royal Cadet, which was written by two Kingston residents, Oscar Telgmann, and George Cameron. After almost twenty years, the theatre burnt to the ground on December 6, 1898.
Rebuilt in 1902 by Ambrose J. Small and E.J. Barker Pense, the Grand Opera House was rated one of the most modern theatres in Canada. It opened on January 15 of that year with the comic opera Dolly Vardon. It went on to host many operas and dramas with great success. Famous performers such as Sarah Bernhardt, Harry Houdini and Al Jolson appeared on the stage of the Grand Opera House.
The Grand in 1900, 1940 and 1987 |
In 1919, the owner, Mr. Small sold the Grand and all his other theatres for $1,700,000. Mr. Small disappeared the day of the sale and is thought to have been murdered, though this mystery has never been solved. It is rumoured that his ghost continues to haunt the Grand Theatre today.
Changing times led to the purchase of the theatre by the Famous Players motion picture chain in 1938. That year, on May 19, the Grand Theatre opened with College Swing, starring Burns and Allen, Jackie Coogan, Betty Grable, Martha Raye and Bob Hope. It served as a movie house until 1961, after which the doors were closed for four years. A parking syndicate with the intention of turning it into a parking lot had bought it. A wrecking crew "stripped the old Opera House of everything, including its memories".
But, Kingstonians rallied together to revive the tradition of the Old Opera House. The City of Kingston purchased the building in 1962 and about 300 Kingstonians embarked on a public canvas to raise money for the restoration of the Grand Theatre. By 1966, the Grand Theatre re-opened as Kingston's Civic Auditorium with Spring Thaw, Canada's national satirical revue.
Since then, the Grand Theatre has undergone four major renovations. Today, the Auditorium houses the very best in touring music, dance and theatre performances, as well as the talented work of our local producers and presenters. The Baby Grand Studio features local developing theatre artists and unique, avant-garde and innovative performances of other disciplines.
