Elgin & Winter Garden Redux

So I was a little unhappy with the photos I captured during the "Open Doors" event Last Week that I had to go back during the regular 11am Saturday tour. The tours are held every Saturday at 11am and for $12 you won't be disappointed.

The entrance on Yonge St. is not really where the theatre is located. Many theatres will have a small walkway entrance on a major street only to have the majority of the building on the less expensive block behind the really expensive real estate that is Yonge St. When you walk in you are immediately taken back by the opulence of the decor. Here is one part of what I call the "Hall of Mirrors"

You are then presented with the entrance way into the main lobby. Unfortunately the stained glass is not the original but really, I can't tell the difference. Little factoid...It only took 8 months to build the theatre in 1913 for around $500k. In comparison, it took 2 years and $2 million dollars to refurbish it in 1981.

Next you are greeted by the Grand Staircase. Many of the famous have walked these steps. The Queen and Fred Astaire to name a few.

The great part of this tour was the ability to get a photograph from the upper balcony. Here is where Joseph and Cats have entertained audiences on long runs.

View from the box seats.

Not the "cheap seats"

Heading out of the Elgin theatre, you proceed to another set of stairs to go up to the WinterGarden theatre. The entire building is 7 stories high. Past here you take a set of escalators to get to the entrance.

Another option, if you are willing to wait, is to take the elevator. The centre elevator was redone for a movie with Richard Gear called Amelia. They liked the decorating so much that they left it.

Now we entered the WinterGarden theatre. This theatre holds about 1500 people and is mainly used for corporate events. The seats are from the same Chicago theatre that John Dillinger was shot coming out of (so the rumor says).

The curtain was most impressive. Fatastic colours and great to photograph will my 10-20

It was great to be in the boxes to see how the other half lives. I wonder who has been in these seats over the last 100 years?

My favorite shot of the whole day. I hope it gives you a feeling of being there.

Looking up, you can see the great ceiling. They were able to save 80% of the original leaves.

We were treated to a behind the scene view of the stage and dressing room as it was left 50 years ago.

There was a small museum of sorts (very small). Here was some of the old lighting equipment they used

Then we were led down the back stairs out of the building.

I recommend you try this tour if you ever get the chance. 90 mins. of excellent memories.