The Orpheum
This section of our web site looks at the 80-year-long history of Vancouver’s Orpheum Theatre.
Entertainment before the Orpheum
One of the earliest references we have to entertainment in the Vancouver area is in 1861 when a touring San Francisco company arrived to entertain the Royal Engineers here. ..
B. Marcus Priteca
The magic of what architect Benjamin Marcus Priteca created for theatre goers in the Orpheum is captured memorably in a Denny Boyd tribute...
Tony Heinsbergen
When you admire the ornate ornamentation of the Orpheum—particularly the huge, airy, colorful and, as you’ll discover, surprising mural surrounding the central chandelier...
Ivan Ackery (Part I)
During the Great Depression, with sound movies and radio adding to its grief, the movie industry had to redouble its efforts to fill its huge theatres. The Orpheum, like many theatres in North America...
Ivan Ackery (Part II)
In the summer of ’35 he (Ivan) was informed he was to become manager of the Orpheum Theatre. “It was such a thrill for me, and I can remember how excited my mother got.”
Ivan Ackery (Part III)
1958 was memorable for Ivan. The year brought a very special event to Vancouver and to the Orpheum. As part of the British Columbia Centennial Celebration...
Dal Richards
Dallas Murray ‘Dal’ Richards, who was named for Dr. Dallas Perry, the man who delivered him at Vancouver General Hospital on January 5, 1918, played music for us for more than 70 years