Timeless Canada

In the 1960S, the Royal Alexandra Theatre was about to be flattened by modernizing bulldozers when a flamboyant Toronto retail entrepreneur by the name of “Honest Ed” Mirvish, the king of the bargain store, came to the rescue.

Mirvish saved a fine Edwardian theater, whose luxurious interior of red velvet, green marble, gold brocade, and flowing scrollwork once made it the most fashionable place in Toronto. Nowadays, the Royal Alex plays host to well known plays and big-hit Broadway musicals, which are often held over for months at a time.

Evening performances are extremely popular; theater-goers stand in line to admire the interior as much as the show, and booking ahead is required. Early arrivals can enjoy the original Edwardian features in the bar before the show.