about metro theatre
Metro Theatre is a live theatre venue located in South Vancouver (Marpole).
We’re more than a charming theatre, we’re a place where artists, creatives, and technicians come together to build something magical on stage. We pride ourselves on being a safe training ground for the artist community. At the Metro, we revel in the growth of performance as actors, creatives, and crew.
We bring community together and bring magic to the stage!
1961
Metro grew from an idea conceived in August 1961, during a regional drama festival lull. Ruth Cunningham, Eleanor Heath, and Jack Richards talked about a new kind of home for theatre. A better-equipped Vancouver home. A place for theatre people to present their best work. Where learning from each other and improving by doing, was the norm.
In 1962, Metro began acquiring and renovating a derelict movie house. It was the Marpole Movie Theatre, in use since the 1930’s. Eleven companies, including White Rock Players, Vagabond Players, North Vancouver Community Players, and West Vancouver Theatre Guild combined to present Metro’s inaugural season. Vancouver’s business community added ballast to their disciplines of theatre expertise. The list of supporters during the birth of the Metro Theatre is long. Chief among them was Donald C. Cromie. Cromie was the principal Benefactor and Honorary Life President of the Society. He had just sold The Sun newspaper, so was the right man at the right time to help bring all these interests together.
1964
In September of 1964, we saw the first performance at the Metro. “Dark of the Moon” produced by the White Rock Players opened with a Black Tie Gala. James Barber, the Sun theatre critic, reviewed it, as “a good play, well executed and one that sets a standard for Metro that is worthy of their investment.”
Other theatre companies began growing their facilities closer to their home. They focused on productions closer to their realities. Metro became more of a production company, with a well-equipped facility and experienced theatre people at its core. Actors like Robert Clothier and Anthony Holland lent their experience, while young performers like Brent Carver and Ruth Nichol honed their craft. Metro was a training ground for young technicians. Rob Moser, employed full-time in the movie industry and Les Erskine, Metro’s GM and TD from 2010-2023, for example.
1977
In 1977 the B.C. Cultural Fund changed course quickly. It moved all funding to ‘professional theatre’. Professional theatre is exemplified by Queen Elizabeth Playhouse or all union workspaces. Metro’s focus on retired and experienced theatre people did not meet their mark. Ignored were the tens of thousands of experience hours. Ignored was the commitment to growing excellence and the community of retired theatrical people. Summer of 1977, brought doubt to Metro mounting the next season. President at the time, David Reynolds, and the Board, did find a path back. Johnny Duncan, then president of Dunbar Musical Society, stuck his neck out. He offered to mount a season at virtually no cost to Metro. Staunch volunteers, like Gerry Amos, Margaret Cullinan, Eleanor Heath, Sean Ullmann, and Peggy Delisle got 5 shows delivered. New people also came forward. Metro’s community added in Jerry and Leslie White, Lillian McKittrick, Pat Waldron, Tom Shorthouse, Gordon Fairclough, Rosemary Heselton, Gwen Crowe, Hazel Cambrin, and Roy and Laura Burslem. Production success continued and things looked brighter for the Metro. Johnny Duncan became president, a capacity he continued to serve in for the next 7 years.
1980’s
The Oak Street Scene Shop owes its existence to the vision and hard work of Gordon Fairclough and John Crittenden. Serving as a hub for rehearsals and set construction, this facility was born out of their dedication.
In 1985, the duo also pioneered the British-style Christmas pantomime tradition at Metro, debuting with "Babes in the Magic Wood," a collaborative effort with Delta Players. It marked a remarkable start to this beloved tradition that has gone on for nearly 40 years at the Metro Theatre.
celebrate metro’s history
Whether you've been a part of our journey for decades or just joined the community, we invite you to share your unique stories and cherished memories with us. Send your anecdotes, tales, and personal reflections to admin@metrotheatre.com, and let's celebrate our vibrant history together.