Manitoba Theatre Center Gets Designated As A National Historic Site Of Canada

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Canada's Environment Minister and the Minister responsible for Parks Canada announced yesterday that the Manitoba Theatre Centre has been designated a National Historic Site of Canada.

The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada considered several factors in their determination of MTC's national significance before recommending its designation as a National Historic Site. According to their report, the MTC Mainstage building at 174 Market Avenue is an excellent example of small-scale Brutalist architecture in Canada and is an exceptional theatre building because it creates an intimate atmosphere in the auditorium and foyer for its patrons and encourages, through its architecture, a stronger relationship between audience and actor.

The Board also recognized MTC as a model regional theatre thatplayed an important role in popularizing the regional theatre movement in Canada. "MTC is thrilled to be recognized as a national historic site of Canada," said Zaz Bajon, MTC's General Manager. "It is a testament not only to the building and the quality of theatre created within, but also to the people of Manitoba, whose unending support and enthusiasm has helped us to achieve the vision of co-founders John Hirsch and Tom Hendry over the last 50 years."

After spending its first decade in the Dominion Theatre, MTC opened at its present Market Avenue location on November 2, 1970. Former MTC artistic director Eddie Gilbert was instrumental in the creation of thenew building, which was designed by architect Allan Waisman. "I'm glad the building on Market Avenue is gaining recognition," said Gilbert. "Some brave and thoughtfularchitectural ideas went into it, and if you look closely, you'll still find traces of my blood, sweat and tears mixed in with the cement."

"It is an amazing honour to have one of my favourite buildings receive this special designation," said Waisman. "The fact is that Eddie Gilbert and myself spent countless hours and had great pleasure increating this unique and special theatre for Winnipeg, building on the great foundation laid by John Hirsch."

A plaque proclaiming MTC as a National Historic Site will be unveiled in 2010. With MTC's designation,there are now 55 National Historic Sites in Manitoba, including Lower Fort Garry, the Winnipeg LawCourts and Pantages Playhouse Theatre.

John Hirsch and Tom Hendry founded MTC with the goal to create great professional theatre with mass appeal. Since its founding, MTC has produced more than 500 plays and hundreds of well-known actorshave appeared on its stages, including Frank Adamson, Evelyne Anderson, Doreen Brownstone, Graham Greene, Judd Hirsch, Richard Hurst, William Hurt, Tom Jackson, Seana McKenna, Eric Peterson, Gordon Pinsent, Keanu Reeves, Fiona Reid and Kathleen Turner, to name a few.

Today, MTC produces 10 playson two stages, a regional tour, the Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival, the Master Playwright Festival and a wide range of youth programming. The 2009/10 season will begin with Strong Poison in the John Hirsch Theatre at the MTC Mainstage and5 O'Clock Bells in the Tom Hendry Theatre at the MTC Warehouse.

To post a comment, you must register and login.