1917 – Allen / Tivoli Theatre, Richmond Street, Toronto

The theatre was designed by C. Howard Crane, Detroit, who was associated with Hynes, Feldman & Watson, architects, Toronto. After the demise of the Allen brothers chain, the name of the theatre was changed to the Tivoli in 1923. This was the first theatre in Toronto to show a talking picture (1928). The theatre was closed in 1965 and was soon demolished.

“The main feature is the amphitheatre, or Roman style of auditorium, which, being without balconies or columns of any kind, provides an unobstructed view of the stage and a seating plan whereby no location is at a disadvantage. The seating capacity is about 1,600. While intended primarily as a picture theatre, with minor alterations it may be converted into a legitimate playhouse at any time.

The new structure, measuring approximately 111 ft. by 124 ft. overall, is situated on the southwest corner of Richmond and Victoria Streets, with the main entrance off Richmond Street. The auditorium is approached from the Richmond Street front through a vestibule containing the ticket booth, the entrance being covered with a cast-iron marquise. From the vestibule a lobby about 27 x 17 feet leads to the foyer. Four pairs of swinging doors are provided at the lobby entrance and exit. The foyer runs transversely across the house on an arc of about SI ft. radius. Oft it are a large rest room, women’s retiring room, men’s smoking room, check room, manager’s office, and lavatories.

The main auditorium is built on the amphitheatre style, without balconies. The seats are arranged in circular tiers of one foot rise per tier. The total rise from stage to top row of seats is about 28 ft. There are thus no balconies or obstructions to a clear view of the stage from any part of the auditorium. The seats are sufficiently banked to put no patron of the house at a disadvantage in regard to his ability to view the stage.

The auditorium is approached from the foyer by four ramps. The pit, or lower part of the theatre, is reached by two practically level ramps leading to a transverse cross aisle, from which access is had to the lower bank of seats. To reach the upper portion of the auditorium two inclined ramps, one on each side of the foyer entrance, lead to an upper cross aisle about 10 ft. above the lower aisle. The rise of these two ramps has been so arranged that one walks up them without effort. From the upper cross aisle are reached the seats in the upper part of the auditorium.

The stage, or orchestra platform, is crescent shaped, and has an organ space on each side, with a passage-way behind the screen. Dressing-room accommodation is provided. There are also side wall boxes, access to which may be had from either the lower or upper cross aisles.

One feature of the design is the large number of exits, in excess of the legal requirements. Besides the regular exits by means of the ramps, emergency exits are established at each end of the foyer and at each end of (both the upper and lower cross aisles. These open on Victoria Street and the side lane, and are protected with kalamein doors. The street level is reached from the upper aisle exits by tire escapes roofed with corrugated iron. The fire escapes are inset in wells so that they do not protrude beyond the street lines. Exits from the top of the auditorium lead directly to the street, and have no connection with any other part of the house.”
Engineering and Contract Record, November 21 1917

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