Empress Theatre
Staff writer
The Empress Theatre was built in 1910 as part of western Canada's live and film theatre renaissance. Though initially a Famous Players establishment, it later went on to operate independently. Like many theatres of the period, it didn't just show the old black and white silent films and, a little later on, the “talkies”, it was a vaudeville house, concert and lecture hall, and live theatre. The tiny basement dressing rooms served as brief hideaway and prep rooms for many famous performers including Texas Tony and his Wonder Horse, The Purple Sage Riders who performed there in 1935, and the CPR Minstrels who performed in 1923. Some of the wood-frame walls bear the signatures and impromptu messages of many who graced the stage over the decades.
When it was first constructed by J.S. Lambert, the Lethbridge Herald ran the story boasting the newest, most unconventional opera house to be built in Fort Macleod. Before renovations were done in the late 1930s, the wicket and projectionists' room were originally located behind the seats on the main floor. The brick arch entry on the exterior facade flowed into a large outer vestibule.
Small Tiffany-style lamps hang throughout the theatre. The original coal heating system was changed to steam some time ago but much of the original character and design remain intact. The original seats are also still intact and lend to the authenticity of the experience when watching a movie there. Closing your eyes, it's not hard to imagine yourself part of a boisterous audience just before a vaudeville production 100 years ago.
The two-storey, rectangular brick structure with poured concrete foundation and south-facing elevation features brick pilasters on the southwest and southeast corners and a parapet with decorative brick trim largely characteristic of period architecture. The south elevation also features a cornice bordered by an egg and dart moulding. An unusual circular second storey window overlooks the projectionist's room.
In 1982, the Fort Macleod Provincial Historic Area Society purchased the theatre and undertook extensive renovations. It remains a testament to the fine craftsmanship of the arts and crafts era of design in Canada.