JOHN HIRSCH MAINSTAGE
Photo by Bryan Scott
5Oth Anniversary 174 MARKET AVE – BUILDING OPENING
The building was conceived as part of a major urban renewal for Winnipeg, with the theatre completing a series of modern civic buildings constructed as part of this project. Royal MTC also played a significant role in the city’s cultural renaissance, as the purpose-built home of Canada’s first English-language regional theatre. Completed for Manitoba’s centennial, the theatre’s brutalist design reflects trends in Canadian society
MANITOBA THEATRE CENTRE, 174 MARKET AVENUE, 1969–70
toward a more relaxed and open-ended social order.
Waisman Ross Blankstein Coop Gillmor Hanna
such by the Canada Council for the Arts.
(now Number Ten Architectural Group)
The theatre became the model for the regional theatre movement in Canada and was promoted as
In 2009, Royal MTC was designated as a Nation-
Partner in charge – Allan H. Waisman
al Historic Site of Canada and received a royal
Lead design architect – Robert Kirby
designation from Queen Elizabeth II a year later.
Project architect – Brian Dewar
In 2019, the building was awarded the Prix du XXe siècle from the Royal Architectural Institute
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre is a vibrant and
of Canada. This prize recognizes buildings over 25
beloved cultural institution located in downtown
years old that have become landmarks of Canadian
Winnipeg near Main Street. It is situated amongst
architecture. The prize celebrates design quality as
the Edwardian commercial buildings and warehouses
well as enduring excellence, recognizing the design
of the Exchange District National Historic Site of
of the original architect and/or firms as well as the
Canada.
ongoing stewardship of the owner of the building. Written by Susan Algie, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation
Architect Allan H. Waisman – University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, Winnipeg Tribune fonds, MSS 24 (A.81-12)
Artistic Director Eddie Gilbert – University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, Winnipeg Tribune Photograph Collection, PC 18, 4510-022
Monique Mercure and Ronald Bishop in the theatre’s first production, Bertolt Brecht’s A Man’s a Man, directed by John Hirsch
James Blendick, Heath Lamberts, Eric Donkin and Douglas Chamberlain in the theatre’s first production, Bertolt Brecht’s A Man’s a Man, directed by John Hirsch
Jerry Franken in the theatre’s first production, Bertolt Brecht’s A Man’s a Man, directed by John Hirsch
Photo by James Ashby