15°c Overcast
11°c Cloudy with clear breaks
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Dark for 25 years, updated Met theatre debuts tonight
The freshly restored Metropolitan Theatre, seen in June 2011, is about to open for business. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES) Photo Store
Related Items
Canad Inns hasn't discovered time travel, but its CEO thinks its latest venture will take you back to the heyday of vaudeville.
The freshly restored Metropolitan Theatre is about to open for business after a quarter-century hiatus.
"You're going to see it restored to its original incarnation as the Allen Theatre, which was part of the vaudeville circuit back in the 1920s," said Paul Robson. "It's reminiscent of a bygone era as a historical building in Winnipeg."
When the first guests walk through the doors of the restored Metropolitan Theatre at tonight's invitation-only event, it will be 25 years and four days since it was last operational. It closed on Nov. 26, 1987, after a final showing of Date With An Angel, a romantic comedy starring Emmanuelle Béart, Phoebe Cates and Michael E. Knight.
The nearly 93-year-old facility, now to be known as the Met Entertainment Centre, will play host to a wide variety of events, including concerts, gala dinners, fundraisers and even movies. Once the NHL resumes playing, Robson said the Met would be an ideal place to take in a Jets game on its giant screen.
On a day-to-day basis, however, the Met will operate as a "higher-end" restaurant befitting the look and feel of the space, but with a contemporary menu.
Robson said he expects between 20 and 30 employees will run the restaurant and staffing will rise to between 35 and 50 people, depending on the event.
"We've tried to make as flexible a space as we possibly can," he said.
Robson and Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown Business Improvement Zone (BIZ), are optimistic the Met will be a critical component of the city's sports, hospitality and entertainment district (SHED).
"It's great to see a new use being applied to that old lady," Grande said. "It's something that Winnipeggers will attend as part of this whole entertainment-district vision that we all have for the downtown."
The Met's rich history makes its revival even more poignant.
"At one time, it was the place where all Winnipeggers went to see their movies," he said.
After years of decay, water damage and mould, the restoration was a time-consuming, difficult and costly process. The city and province contributed $1.5 million each and Canad Inns put up $17 million.
The Met will host a pre-opening gala this evening, with the doors opening at 7 p.m. and the program and unveiling of the new space a half-hour later. Robson said he expects the Met to be fully operational within the next two weeks.
geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 30, 2012 A16
History
Updated on Friday, November 30, 2012 at 11:12 AM CST: Adds reference to tonight's event being invitation-only.
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 32 articles for today)
PST hike a 'difficult decision' but necessary, NDP official says
12:33 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Systemic approach to voter interference 'extremely worrisome': Trudeau
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Overnight stabbings probed
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- Selinger talks tax at NDP convention in Brandon
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- City's first urban reserve born
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- Islamic life showcased
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.