About the Vogue: The Vogue Theatre was, and still is, an incredible architectural achievement when it was first opened in 1941. The theatre was originally built as a movie house operated by the Odeon, but after being bought by developers and sitting empty from 1988 to 1992, it was reopened as a live performance venue. This became a hot spot for bands to perform, and for Vancouverites to watch live shows. This building was originally owned by George and Henry Reifel, who, with their father, helped build Granville Street during the prohibition era. Henry had a brewery on Math and 16th, which he sold for retirement, and he and his brother bought and built the Commodore Block, as well as the Vogue and Studio theatres on Granville. The Vogue is one of the last remaining theatres from the well known “Theatre Row”, and its website encourages the appreciation of old Vancouver. At the top of the theatre there is a statue of the roman goddess, Diana, which sits atop the neon sign, giving the building a Hollywood fee. Some of the events held at the Vogue are the Vancouver ComedyFest, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Architecture: The Vogue theatre was designed by architects Kaplan and Sprachman, and like many other theatres on Granville Street, was designed in the Art Deco Style that was so popular in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The interior of the theatre has a grand total of 1, 161 seats: 614 on the orchestra level, 211 in the dress circle, and 336 on the upper level. The style plays with curved ceilings and balconies, which were some examples of the Art Deco Style.
Paranormal Fun Facts:
Vogue staff have reported one or two ghosts haunting the theatre, home to the spirit of a dark haired man. Staff members claim to feel his presence. The call one corridor where much paranormal activity was felt was named "the Haunted Hallway." The phantom was said to make banging sounds, inhabiting the audience, slamming doors, and playing drums.
The Ghost of the Vogue Theatre: a fictional short story
Bill Allman, House Manager and later General Manager of the Vogue Theatre, was standing outside the backstage door, hoping to talk to some of his sound crew, when he noticed the theatre halls were strangely quiet. The usual bustling staff was nowhere to be seen. Maybe someone brought a special breakfast to the staffroom for everyone, or perhaps they were all on a bathroom break at the same time. Bill shrugged and took a swig of coffee. Ba-dum-pish! Allman jumped and spilled coffee all over his jeans. “Shoot!” his heart pounded. Equipment was set up onstage for a band booked to play later that night, but they shouldn’t have arrived yet. It was only nine in the morning! Bill grabbed a handful of napkins from the paper bag that held his breakfast muffin, and attempted to sop up the caffeinated mess on his pants. Ba-dum-pish! This time it was louder. The sound of cymbals made his skin tingle. Bill dumped the coffee cup into a nearby trash can and shoved the muffin in his mouth, freeing his hands to slowly open the stage door. “Sir!” Bill spun around, choking on muffin. “What are you doing in the Haunted Hallway by yourself?” The Haunted Hallway is what Vogue staff called the corridor backstage, near the dressing rooms. Tom waggled his eyebrows and Bill laughed nervously. “No, not you Julie, I’m talking to Allman,” Tom pressed a button on the side of his headset, “you wanted to talk to me?” “Uh, yeah. No one is in the theatre, right?” “Should be empty, yeah, why?” “Oh no reason…” “Is that all?” “Yeah, yeah…”Bill had suddenly forgotten what he needed to talk about. “Alright then. Julie, I’m back.” Tom walked away. When he disappeared around the corner, Bill grabbed the door handle before he lost his nerve. The stage was black, overlooking a dark room full of chairs. “Hello?” Bill stared at the drums, centre stage and shiny red. No one sat on the short stool behind the bass. No one tapped a stick on the brass cymbals. No one was around. Bill turned around to leave, convincing himself it was only his imagination when-