The Empress – Alberta's Oldest Theatre at Fort Macleod
Courtesy Empress Theatre
The Empress Theatre was built in 1910
as part of western Canada's live and film
theatre renaissance. Though initially a
Famous Players establishment, it later
went on to operate independently.
Like many theatres of the period, it didn't
just show the old black and white silent
films and, a little later on, the “talkies”,
it was a vaudeville house, concert and
lecture hall, and live theatre. The tiny
basement dressing rooms served as
brief hideaway and prep rooms for
many famous performers including
Texas Tony and his Wonder Horse, The
Purple Sage Riders who performed
there in 1935, and the CPR Minstrels
who performed in 1923. Some of the
wood-frame walls bear the signatures
and impromptu messages of many who
graced the stage over the decades.
When it was first constructed by
J.S. Lambert, the Lethbridge Herald
ran the story boasting the newest,
most unconventional opera house
to be built in Fort Macleod. Before
renovations were done in the late
1930s, the wicket and projectionists'
room were originally located behind
the seats on the main floor. The brick
arch entry on the exterior facade
flowed into a large outer vestibule.
Small Tiffany-style lamps hang
throughout the theatre. The original
coal heating system was changed to
steam some time ago but much of the
original character and design remain
intact. The original seats are also still
intact and lend to the authenticity
of the experience when watching a
movie there. Closing your eyes, it's
not hard to imagine yourself part of
a boisterous audience just before a
vaudeville production 100 years ago.
The two-storey, rectangular brick
structure with poured concrete
foundation and south-facing elevation
features brick pilasters on the
southwest and southeast corners
and a parapet with decorative brick
trim largely characteristic of period
architecture. The south elevation also
features a cornice bordered by an
egg and dart moulding. An unusual
circular second storey window
overlooks the projectionist's room.
In 1982, the Fort Macleod Provincial
Historic Area Society purchased
the theatre and undertook extensive
renovations. It remains a testament
to the fine craftsmanship of the arts
and crafts era of design in Canada.
