A moment in history: Aug. 28, 1957

On this day in 1957, the Roxy Theatre was advertising its plan to play first-run films.

Edmonton has a long history of beloved theatres, both of the cinema and playhouse variety. But the Roxy is one landmark that belongs to both camps. When it opened its doors in 1938, it was a movie theatre.

The Roxy was the creation of Bill Wilson. His father had been the manager of the Capitol, Edmonton's first dedicated cinema. Wilson had spent some time working for the government, but lost his job during the Great Depression. So, he returned to the family business and commissioned well-known architect William G. Blakey to design the building — the city's only theatre west of 104 Street.

The Roxy's opening gathered a lot of attention. Despite the dismal economic times, Wilson wanted to offer a luxurious theatre experience. The Roxy boasted air conditioning, comfortable seating, and an eye-catching Moderne style. Opening night attracted a lot of attention, with glowing newspaper articles and prominent Edmontonians in attendance.

Wilson would manage the Roxy until 1941, before moving south of the river to oversee the Garneau Theatre. That same year, the theatre was leased to the Odeon chain. It was the first of several operator changes that would eventually turn the Roxy into a $2 theatre. In the 1970s, the building underwent extensive renovations.

In 1989, the Roxy switched to a different kind of show when it was acquired by Theatre Network and turned into a home for live theatre. (The boxy cinema design apparently made it very well suited to puppetry.) Another round of renovations in the early 1990s upgraded the stage, seating, and lighting. The theatre also became the home of NextFest, Edmonton's long-running multi-disciplinary arts festival.

In January 2015, a fire gutted the Roxy, devastating Edmonton's theatre community. Without its home venue, Theatre Network was forced to move to a temporary venue on Gateway Boulevard. But the Roxy was not gone forever. In 2018, the theatre company announced plans to rebuild the venerable venue. In 2022, the curtains opened on the new, resurrected Roxy Theatre, complete with a rehearsal space and a gallery for visual art.

The Roxy's return has been a welcome story in Edmonton's arts community, but it hasn't been without its issues. There is an ongoing dispute with the owners of an adjacent building, leaving the south wall unfinished and exposed to the elements.

After 27 years under the direction of Bradley Moss, Theatre Network's artistic direction is now in the hands of Jenna Rodgers, with David Cheoros as executive director. The mainstage season opens with Oh, Anne! in September.

This clipping was found on Vintage Edmonton, a daily look at Edmonton's history from armchair archivist Rev Recluse of Vintage Edmonton.