TV: The Ed Mirvish Theatre - A City Pays Tribute

December 6th marked a historic day for both the city of Toronto and its theatre community.  The Canon Theatre (formerly the Pantages Theatre) was renamed The Ed Mirvish Theatre, in honour of theatre impresario (and treasured Torontonian) Ed Mirvish.  Today he joins the likes of Queen Alexandra, Diana Princess of Wales, Noel Coward and Laurence Olivier in having one of our cities most gorgeous and well known theatres named in his memory.  

The announcement was made by Ed’s son David Mirvish on the stage of the Ed Mirvish Theatre, where he was joined by many of the world’s leading theatrical performers including Michael Burgess, Shirley Douglas, Ted Dykstra, Richard Greenblatt, Molly Johnson, Louise Pitre and Camilla Scott.  The Toronto Police Choir were also on hand and sang a special medley in honour of Ed, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford proclaimed December 6^thEd Mirvish Theatre Day. 

The event was a celebration of a man who is known around the globe for his contributions to the theatre world, his sense of humour and his kindness.  Oddly enough Ed never intended to have a career in the theatre, but rather was known for his discount superstore Honest Ed’s, which encompasses an entire city block in downtown Toronto.  It was with his purchase of The Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1963 (which he made because he thought it was a bargain, not because he loved the theatre) that started his illustrious career in the arts.  He went on to purchase the Old Vic in London, England and built The Princess of Wales Theatre, which was the first privately owned freestanding theatre to be built on this continent in half a century. 

Stories of Ed’s contribution to the global theatre community are endless, as was made abundantly clear by the enthusiastic turnout at today’s event.  Rather than recount tales of his numerous achievements in his fifty plus years in the theatre business, I will simply say this, had it not been for Ed Mirvish, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 

I had my first theatrical experience in the city of Toronto when I was just five years old and my parents took me for a night on the town.   I remember being dressed in my finest as they took me to dine at Ed’s Seafood before we went to The Royal Alexandra Theatre to watch the original Canadian production of Les Miserables.  I was hooked.  I remember wandering the halls of The Royal Alex looking at the old photographs that adorned the walls and admiring the beauty and the majesty of the entire evening.  At that tender age I knew nothing of Honest Ed’s or of Ed Mirvish himself, but from that evening on, he became permanently etched in my memory.

Over the years I attended countless Mirvish productions and even had the chance to meet Ed once or twice, and his genial nature and genuine appreciation for the art form always stuck with me.  I was crushed when his restaurant chains closed their doors but have continued to return to his theatres year after year to celebrate everything that I love about this great city and its talented theatre community. As a child I never dreamed that I would one day count many of the members of that theatre community as peers, or be assigned to cover such a historic event as the one I watched unfold today. 

Now that I’m all grown up I’ve had the opportunity to speak with Ed’s son David On many occasions as I’ve covered various theatrical events, and that same genial nature and love of the theatre is always what I notice first.  In those moments, I remember that five year old girl, and I’m grateful to Ed Mirvish and the Mirvish family for instilling a passion in me that has led me to where I am today.  As David said when announcing the Ed Mirvish Theatre: “My father’s love affair with this city goes on. A city that takes care of its own and looks to the future and to help others.”  Ed Mirvish – you certainly helped me.  For that I say thank you – and congratulations. 

 

Mirvish Productions ran a special video in honour of Ed Mirvish which you can view here

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