Gladstone Theatre

The Gladstone is a live theatre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Gladstone is the home of live theatre produced by a partnership of independent professional theatre companies. It is located on Gladstone Avenue just west of Preston Street. It is the former home of the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

Gladstone Theatre
The Gladstone
Location within Ottawa
General information
TypeLive theatre
Address910 Gladstone Avenue
Town or cityOttawa, Ontario
CountryCanada
Coordinates45.4043549°N 75.714599°W / 45.4043549; -75.714599
Other information
Seating capacity230

History

The building started out as a cinderblock garage. In 1982, Great Canadian Theatre Company converted it into a 230-seat theatre. In 2008, GCTC moved out into the Irving Greenberg Theatre Centre. At the end of the 2007 GCTC season, the building was purchased by Steve Martin and Marilisa Granzotto, owners of a nearby Arthur Murray Dance Studio, and renovated at an approximate cost of CA$500,000.[1] In 2011, Plosive Productions and SevenThirty Productions joined forces to take on the operation of the theatre. The partnership expanded to include shows by Black Sheep Theatre, Bear and Co., Same Day Theatre (in 2013),[2] and Three Sisters Company (in 2014).

Theatre

The theatre holds approximately 230 persons for live performance. The theatre was renovated for its re-opening on September 11, 2008 with Art Deco style decoration.[3]

Controversy

Former theatre manager, Don Fex, was removed for sexual abuse of a minor in August, 2020 after a public confession which led to community backlash. The complainant made the situation public after being met with animosity while privately requesting Fex's removal from the theatre. An open letter calling for Fex's removal received over 700 signatures. The company faced further controversy in January 2021 for a marquee sign, reading "2021 - More Theatre, Less Drama", seemingly making light of the situation.[4][5][6][7]

Programming

The Gladstone Theatre is programmed by a partnership of independent theatre companies. For the 2013-14 season, those partners included Plosive Productions, SevenThirty Productions, Black Sheep Theatre, Bear & Co., and Same Day Theatre. The production companies are local to Ottawa.

References
  1. "Show will go on at former theatre company building". CBC News. August 2, 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  2. "About: History". The Gladstone Theatre. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  3. "Glamorous Gladstone theatre opens in Ottawa". CBC News. September 12, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
  4. https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/harassment-victim-says-gladstone-theatre-only-acted-after-her-story-went-public
  5. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/sexual-harassment-minor-gladstone-theatre-1.5686585
  6. https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/sexual-abuse-gladstone-theatre
  7. https://ottawacitizen.com/news/gladstones-theatre-manager-is-no-longer-employed-following-sexual-harassment-allegations
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