Royal Alexandra Theatre renovation means new, larger seats

Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre is about to get its first facelift in more than 50years, starting with its classic seats.

David Mirvish, founder ofMirvish Productions, told Metro Morning thatthe planned renovations will make the whole auditorium "sparkle."

Mirvish Productions plans to remove the theatre's 1,500 seats, which were in place when the theatreon King Street West opened in 1907, in favour of newer, wider seats. There will also be more space between rows.

David Mirvish: "We are going to make the whole room sparkle."

8 years ago

Duration 2:39

David Mirvish sits down with Our Toronto host Marivel Taruc to discuss upcoming renovations to the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

The company plans to repaint the theatre, refinish its woodwork andmake sure the mural in the theatre is in good condition. It willkeep the original wallpaper from Paris on the walls. When the theatre was restored, it was painted cream with gold touches. That paint has turned brown.

"I hope, once you sit down, all you will be able to think about is the show once the lights go out because you won't be uncomfortable in the seats. You'll be very comfortable," he said.

"We are going to make sure thesightlinesare perfect.Ultimately, we are going to make the whole room sparkle.You'll walk in and say, 'I know something is different, I don't know exactly what it is.'"

Mirvish saidthe change will reduce the Royal Alex's capacity by about250 seats, but it will make watchinga show more enjoyable.

In 1907, when the theatre opened, it was an "intimate house," with rows close together and the audience close to the stage,he said.

"In those years, these seats were considered generous and comfortable. But we've found greater nutritionI guess over a hundred years. People have grown to be larger," Mirvish said.

Originally, the theatre had its own kind of air conditioning. There was a floor four feet under the seats there were holes under the seats and there were blocks of ice placed on straw. Air from the melting ice rose through the holes to cool the audience. There were also wire racks for hats.

Half the audience arrived by carriage, half by motor car.

Mirvish said the company will restore the original angle at which the seats sit. It was changed 10 years ago to accommodate a show with a higher stage. He said the earlier angle was better for the audience.

Mirvishsaid the renovations will make the theatre more modern. "This will prepare us for the21stcentury," he said.

One thing that won't change, Mirvish said, is the signature red colour of the seating.

The renovations will begin when Kinky Boots finishes its run on May 15. The theatre is set to reopen in November.