Posted by Patrick Morris on Mar 27, 2019
Randy Joynt Manager of External Affairs for the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) spoke about the history of Victoria's two principal performance spaces, and their current role in Victoria's arts scene.
 
Randy Joynt has been the Manager of External Affairs for the Royal and McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) in Victoria since 2016. Randy began his career as a contemporary dancer, performing with companies in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. He has a keen interest in cultural policy and arts advocacy and has led strategic planning processes, governance reviews and operational capacity building initiatives for various arts organizations. He is currently on the Boards of ProArt and the BC Alliance for Arts and Culture.
 
The Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse are the flagship venues for the performing arts in Greater Victoria. No other Canadian city boasts two beautifully maintained historic theatres at the centre of its cultural life. Each year approximately 180,000 people attend shows at the theatres – from professional dance, opera and classical music to variety shows, rock music and community theater.
 
Randy related the history of the Royal and McPherson Theaters from when the two properties opened within 6 months of each, in 1913-14. They reflected a time of civic confidence when Victoria had only just lost its place as the preeminent city of BC to Vancouver, and the Panama Canal was just about to open. The Royal was built for $400,000 and was finished 10 months after the permit was issued. The McPherson was from the beginning a Pantages franchise and constantly hosted Vaudeville acts that circulated across North America.
 
They have passed through good times and bad times, been shuttered at different times for years at a time. They have also been refurbished and upgraded, within the constraints of what are now heritage buildings.
 
In 1972 the Royal was sold to the joint municipalities of Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay; they later gifted it to the CRD in order to improve the management structure. The McPherson was gifted to City of Victoria in the early 1960s. Now the two properties are operated by the non-profit Royal and McPherson Theaters Society on behalf of the municipalities and the CRD.
 
The venues have been I the news recently with a move by the RMTS to increase some booking rates and change booking practices to increase access to the venues for performances. Randy noted that approximately 5% of annual costs come from government support; this contrasts with much higher (~50%) subsidy levels in other jurisdictions.
 
Discussion  –
Why have rates not been increasing progressively, rather than remaining fixed for the past 21 years. And why is there no modern functional performance space such as found in almost all major cities in Canada.
The venues see relatively little activity in July – August. Overall the Royal (1400 seats) is booked 250 days/year; the McPherson (770 seats) somewhat less.
It was noted that the Victoria Symphony had relocated to Farquhar Auditorium (UVic) which is in any case a more acoustically modern venue.
In discussing whether the Royal is contemplated as the anchor for a “theatre district” Randy noted that the area behind the theatre is actually referenced as the “cathedral district”.
It was noted that the McPherson balcony seating has no elevator access: this is a product of the old building where modifications are limited.
Activity at the Mary Winspear Centre (in Sidney) was discussed: they schedule a popular Speakers Series but the venue is too small. Randy noted there is simply not enough room in the calendar to host these at the Royal or McPherson.
The Royal Theatre and the McPherson Playhouse are the flagship venues for the performing arts in Greater Victoria. No other Canadian city boasts two beautifully maintained historic theatres at the centre of its cultural life. Each year approximately 180,000 people attend shows at the theatres – from professional dance, opera and classical music to variety shows, rock music and community theatre.
Randy related the history of the Royal and McPherson Theatres from when the two properties opened within 6 months of each, in 1913-14. They reflected a time of civic confidence when Victoria had only just lost its place as the preeminent city of BC to Vancouver, and the Panama Canal was just about to open. The Royal was built for $400,000 and was finished 10 months after the permit was issued. The McPherson was from the beginning a Pantages franchise and constantly hosted Vaudeville acts that circulated across North America.
They have passed through good times and bad times, been shuttered at different times for years at a time. They have also been refurbished and upgraded, within the constraints of what are now heritage buildings.
In 1972 the Royal was sold to the joint municipalities of Victoria, Saanich and Oak Bay; they later gifted it to the CRD in order to improve the management structure. The McPherson was gifted to City of Victoria in the early 1960s. Now the two properties are operated by the non-profit Royal and McPherson Theatres Society on behalf of the municipalities and the CRD.
The venues have been I the news recently with a move by the RMTS to increase some booking rates and change booking practices to increase access to the venues for performances. Randy noted that approximately 5% of annual costs come from government support; this contrasts with much higher (~50%) subsidy levels in other jurisdictions.
Discussion  –
Why have rates not been increasing progressively, rather than remaining fixed for the past 21 years. And why is there no modern functional performance space such as found in almost all major cities in Canada.
The venues see relatively little activity in July – August. Overall the Royal (1400 seats) is booked 250 days/year; the McPherson (770 seats) somewhat less.
It was noted that the Victoria Symphony had relocated to Farquhar Auditorium (UVic) which is in any case a more acoustically modern venue.
In discussing whether the Royal is contemplated as the anchor for a “theatre district” Randy noted that the area behind the theatre is actually referenced as the “cathedral district”.
It was noted that the McPherson balcony seating has no elevator access: this is a product of the old building where modifications are limited.
Activity at the Mary Winspear Centre (in Sidney) was discussed: they schedule a popular Speakers Series but the venue is too small. Randy noted there is simply not enough room in the calendar to host these at the Royal or McPherson.