A production company based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, has purchased the Regent Theatre in Toronto’s Davisville community and hopes to return it back to its former glory.
Terra Bruce Productions purchased the Regent for $7.4 million and plans to use the space for live theatre — the venue’s original use when it first opened in 1927, before it became a movie theatre.
The production company was started in 2018. They have since created a wide variety of content, from live theatre to music videos and web series.
They just finished a big run of their musical No Change in the Weather that ran in both Toronto and St. John’s. Now the company is making its first foray into Toronto’s venue scene with the Regent.
“We believe that breathing new life into this historic theatre will be of enormous benefit to the city, the arts community and to Davisville,” Terra Bruce’s chief operating officer, Bob Hallett, told Post City. “There’s going to be a huge investment in time and resources to bring the building back to its former glory.”
The theatre is heritage listed, which means that further evaluation must be done if there are plans for demolition. However, Hallett said that any work on the building will be “more cosmetic” and focus largely on its interior to allow for live productions.
He said that design plans are currently being considered and are in the “early stages,” and he does not have a timeline for when the theatre will reopen.
City councillor for the neighbourhood, Jaye Robinson, said she is excited about the new venture after working hard to make it happen for local residents.
“In my time representing Davisville Village, I’ve been actively working to restore the Regent Theatre to its roots as a destination for the performing arts. After years of hard work alongside the community, I am excited that we are taking the next steps toward achieving this goal,” she said. “The Regent Theatre is an important piece of Davisville Village’s character and I remain fully committed to the revitalization of this significant historic space. I look forward to more details as this work progresses.“
Fellow city councilor Josh Matlow, who represents the adjoining ward, said the theatre has been an “iconic” part of the Davisville community for decades and an important element in Toronto’s arts and culture scene. He hopes that the revitalization will also be a boost to local businesses reeling from COVID-19 restrictions, envisioning patrons grabbing a bite before seeing a show.