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Kingsway Theatre - Open 1939
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Kingsway Theatre - Open in 1939 in the new
Toronto neighbourhood of The Kingsway. For many years a
local landmark under 20th Century Theatres and later Famous
Players Theatres.
Last operated by the cut rate Festival Chain which ran the theatre
into the ground and diminshed the vintage movie going experience.
Closing in June of 2006 with the collapse of the rep chain.
The theatre reopened January 2nd 2009 - having been
renovated and renewed as a prime movie going destination
standing as an alternative to the generic box store multiplex.
Relevant, urban, modern, and unapologetic.
Movies the way they were meant to be seen!
Rui Pereira, who spearheaded the resurrection of the Kingsway at 3030 Bloor St. W., on the theatre’s marquee. (Jan. 29, 2009)
MICHAEL STUPARYK/TORONTO STAR
Published On Fri Jan 30 2009
Raju Mudhar Entertainment Reporter
Consider it a second run at life for a former second-run theatre.
More than two years after it was believed to be shuttered for good, the Kingsway theatre is up, running and screening films, although this resurrection is banking on newer movies as its strategy moving forward.
"We are no longer a repertory theatre," says Rui Pereira, the project manager who spearheaded the theatre's return. "What we're trying to do is run as many first-run movies, or films that are currently playing, as possible, and holding them for a longer period of time, so typically for a week to two weeks. This way, we have more exclusive films as opposed to trying to compete with a lot of the films that have already gone to DVD."
Officially, the Kingsway, on Bloor St. W. just west of Royal York Rd., reopened on Jan. 2, but Pereira has been working on getting it back in shape since August. It's not finished yet, as there are still some soundproofing and wall treatments to be done, but the goal is to keep the special feel of the heritage building.
"It's a different experience. Not to put down the multiplexes, because I enjoy going to them too, but this is different. You're time-travelling back to the 1930s. This film theatre was built in 1939 and it's just a different feel. There's not a lot of single screen theatres left, and this theatre is part of the history of this area and of Toronto."
Pereira is obviously passionate about going to movies and has worked in theatres for much of his life, including the Eglinton Theatre.
That was his favourite theatre, he said, but it is now run as an event space.
He also studied and worked as an architect, so the chance to combine both of his passions at the Kingsway was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
While much of the heavy lifting has been done in restoring the venue to its former glory, Pereira says the goal now is make sure that there's a varied amount of programming, and to spread the word about what's happening at the theatre.
"I think they're pretty much amazed in the neighbourhood, because the theatre sat closed for almost 2 1/2 years. They really thought that was it. It was over," he says.
"But now people here are very supportive of the theatre being reopened. We have people coming in all the time, complimenting us and, for the most part, it has just been a case of being surprised. They didn't expect it to come back."
Kingsway Theatre in 1982 with Al Rush - Click to enlarge
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