The Centre

Inside at The Centre is quite nice. Due to lack of funding and money to maintain this building City of Vancouver recently sold it to a church. So now its part of the church. This is my first time inside. I like the interior because of the shiny shine walls and floors. The Chandelier inside is gorgeous and as well the mirror trying to make the affect of the never ending stairs is beautiful.
Well came here to listen to the Star Trek orchestra and I have to say the surround sound inside is not bad and as well the seating are very comfortable. I would actually prefer here over the QE Theater.
The only fall back of this place is the lack of food stand and there are no free parking in the area because its located downtown. But wait its close to a skytrain.
I would definitely come back depending what is playing next time.

I went to see the Vancouver Film School’s Crazy8s here. It was a good venue for the showing, with a large screen and comfortable sloping seats for all to see the films.
It has a nice layout, but the design is not nostalgic or intricate like certain other Vancouver theatres. Also, the entrance is not ideal for ticket pickup. It’s crowded and not conducive to forming a proper line.
The snacks and drinks are a plus. The red wine was delicious. However, drinks are not allowed to be brought to the seats, which is annoying; several other venues in Vancouver allow this, trusting people with their beverages.
Overall, it’s a decent venue, but it’s definitely not one of my favorites in Vancouver.

This was the fourth consecutive year we have attended Vancouver’s Goh Ballet production of ‘The Nutcracker’, at ‘The Centre’, and we were as «wowed» this time by it all, as we were the very first time! The Centre was bright and sparkling in holiday spirit, and The Nutcracker ballet a sheer delight to the senses!

From the youngsters, to the older, and more advanced students, all showing their passions to perform at the best of their abilities, up to the principal dancers bringing their exceptional talents to the most formal parts of the ballet, everyone performed so well. Along with the lovely sets, beautiful costumes, the colours, and choreographies, and wonderful Tchaikovsky score, presented so well by members of Vancouver Opera’s orchestra, the sights and sounds kept us quite spellbound and totally-​engaged from beginning to end. And for us, that finale seemed to arrive much too soon!
We were provided with another most-​delightful holiday season treat. We are so glad to have been able to experience this wonderful event once again.

I am not gonna lie. It has been a loooong time since I went to the ballet. Movies and theatre yes, but the ballet no. First question: what should I wear? I’m off of the Island and in the big city. I have to get dressed up! I made it down with lots of time to spare while little girls in evening gowns and some of the dancers made their way around the lobby. There was even a girls choir to keep us entertained.
As for the building itself, I enjoyed the clean sleek look and the multi panelled wall of mirrors. We were on the first mezzanine and had a great view of the stage and a little peek into the sunken orchestra area.
The first 20 – 30 minutes was the start of the story and contained the youngest stars of the show. It looked to me that the youngest was about 5. The more talented dancers wear the «pointe» shoes and they had principal dancers from the Danish BAllet. Some of the costumes were stunning, just stunning. It was really remarkable to see the effort that went into the show. I imagine it is something the Goh Academy works on for most of the year!
After intermission things picked up and there was a few couples who came out to perform, a few solos as well as three young men dressed as «Russian» Dancers.
It was a lot of fun 5 stars for effort, costumes, dancing, volunteers, location and most importantly allowing me a trip down memory lane.

I’ve been to The Centre once and it did it’s job. It wasn’t a phenomenal architectural feat, and it kind of seemed dated. I enjoyed the show I went to see and was left with almost no feelings about the venue itself. I expect more from something in Vancouver!
I had a glass of red wine at the bar which was a little disappointing because they serve it in a cheap plastic cup. For an $ 8 glass of wine, I expected at least a cheap plastic wine glass.
At intermission, I had to go to the washroom which was just a DISASTER. The lineup was SO LONG. And the foyer was sooo cramped full of people getting refreshments/​stretching their legs/​going to the washroom that you could barely move! It was definitely not designed for the amount of people that were there.
I’d probably go back for another show because I’m there to see the show– not the venue… but it would be nice if the venue had some wow-​factor too!

We stopped by The Centre last weekend to take part in the Vancouver Comedy Festival, with headliner, Betty White.
Having read the reviews about how little leg room there is here, I psyched myself up to think that my evening at The Centre would be 2 hours of claustrophobia. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be as the waiting area was much worse.
The event was to start at 7PM, with outside doors opening at 6PM. However, they didn’t open the theatre to seating until about 6:30PM — which meant the second floor waiting area was packed filled with people waiting in line for the bar and the doors. It was very congested.
Since this was an evening with Betty White — the audience was multigenerational, with a lot of older audience members that were forced to stand for the entire time in a room that was packed like sardines. This broke my heart.
The Centre certainly has room for improvement (pun intended).

THE MIRRORS! THEY ARE SO TALL!
And as is standard for a theatre in Vancouver, the beer and wine, they are so subpar and high-​priced.

The Centre is high up on the list for worst venues in Vancouver in terms of leg room.
Just plain uncomfortable and ugly springs to mind as well.
What the hell am I paying all these bullshit service fees for anyways? Where does that money go?
It ain’t goin to comfort!
Ugh.
I have spent a lot of money here over the years. I’ve seen comics, folk singers, and even a Chef or two and paid dearly to be in the same room as them. But I always dread it when I see the venue for an upcoming show is at The Centre. It is to the point where I will avoid buying tickets just to save my ass/​back/​feet and neck the hassle of jamming myself in those shite seats.
You need a serious make-​over Centre. You fugly, uncomfortable mess!

I agree with the previous reviewer. The venue is nice in a sterile sort of way. The big mirrors were not ideal in decoratives in my mind but hey, I’m not a decorator. There’s a nice long lights by the window and stairs that were quite nice though. The seats are a lovely dark purple and was elegant in the theatre. There is very little leg room and if you’re a taller person, it might not be the most comfortable.
I came here to watch the Goh Ballet presents the Nutcracker. It looked like every seat in the theater would provide a good view. I would be interested in watching something from the private balconies next time.

It’s nice in a sterile-​sorta-​way, but the entrances «suck.» Apparently, this was one of the design flaws.
Seats are a bit cramped but clean. Since I’m an average sized person, I would definitely feel sorry for a taller, bigger person here. When you’re paying an average of $ 60+ for any show, you expect comfort in seating. And I hate the fact that theatres never allow enough room for people to walk by. Inevitably, if you are seated near the end of a row, every guy in the middle of your row will have to get up at the most critical times of every talk, guaranteed. It’s Murphy’s law. :)
A great place to see a «talk» but not so convinced re: the concerts.
It’s unfortunate you can’t bring your drinks in with you from the foyer, but I suppose that keeps the place clean. They should serve sippy-​cups like they do in NY so that you can take the drinks in – but perhaps without the $ 12 price tag that comes attached to these aforementioned drinks.
Bathrooms are just way to small for women. Once again, this must have been designed by a man. You think that theatres would learn by now?
The stairs and mirrors are a bit scary looking when approaching them with heels, and I found myself gravitating towards the railing, which is not the norm with me. I suppose the mirrors are okay if you’re feeling good and need a last minute «check» on that night, otherwise, they are a bit startling.
All in all, not a bad place, but not the best layout for organizing a crowd. The one place that reminds me of an overcrowded Times Square theatre, and believe me, that’s no compliment.

The Centre fits the basic requirements for a performing arts space: there’s a cash bar and expensive drinks, box office, ushers wearing bow ties, private balconies flanking the theatre and some really great acoustics. But if I could choose between venues in Vancouver, this one would probably wind up last on my list.
I love modern and historical spaces alike, but The Centre is lacking something… Perhaps it’s some of the design choices: mirrors that showcase the grand staircase; the first floor men’s bathroom and the second floor women’s; and yes… there it is, do I detect a slightly pink undertone in the paint? Ah yes, there it is. Hello Centre, 1990 is calling. They want their paint back.
But my biggest lament: the sardine tight seats. Honestly, I think I prefer the comfort of an airplane chair. So, if you are stuck listening to an agonizing terrible opening act (like I was tonight), or if you want to use the washroom outside of intermission time, you’re trapped. There’s no way of getting out without everyone literally having to exit the row to let you out, much like an airplane. I’m guessing the leg room restriction also reduces the amount of people who get up to seat dance when the music moves them.
It’s a good thing I’ve had the privilege of seeing a couple of amazing shows here. But quite frankly, the next time I see The Centre as the venue for a show, I’m going to have to really consider just how much I like an act before buying tickets. It’s not only a financial commitment, it’s a comfort one.

The Centre plays host to various events going on in Vancouver. I’ve been a few times, once to see Hairspray, again for the Juno Songwriter’s Circle, and a couple times previous for YWCA Young Writer’s events.
The interior is beautiful, with a mirrored wall and grand marble staircase that takes you up to it’s three levels of seating. Bathrooms are nicely designed, and there is bar service as well as a merch booth located on the 2^nd level.
Now, for a large scale musical like Hairspray, it was the perfect venue: big sound, big lights, and a proscenium stage. But for a more intimate show like the acoustic Juno set, we were seated front row and the venue was still overwhelming. Still, nothing to complain about; everything makes for a fun theatre experience.