And So Goes the Revue
Early this morning around 3 AM the Revue's marquee collapsed, likely the result of pressure from the weight of the recent snowfall. This afternoon, owner Chris McQuillan, former Revue employees, members of the RFS, conspiracy theorists and other onlookers gathered outside the theatre on Roncesvalles to think about what was, what might have been and watch a demolition crew clean up the mess.
This latest twist in the ongoing saga of the Revue is as shocking as it is saddening. With the marquee goes one of the more memorable and iconic landmarks in the west end. The marquee could not be saved. The core was rotted (not to mention damaged) and was relegated to scraps that the demolition crew was tasked to dismantle and tow away.
Among the rubble, the only salvagable parts were the signage which dated back to the 1930s. Since city bylaws have changed over the decades, a marquee like this cannot be built again and thus the Roncesvalles streetscape will be changed forever. What becomes of the signage or the theatre for that matter is now anybody's guess.
Efforts to develop and re-open the Revue had been complicated by the seemingly impending historical designation for the marquee. The historical designation was in-process but not yet a done deal meaning that any new owners of the theatre will not be as restricted as they would have been were the marquee to still be standing.
More photos:
Comments (9)
Went by to see and photography it as well today... they were just picking up the last pieces. so sad.
I want to cry. The Revue is one of the things I love about my neighbourhood. I had no idea the marquee was in such a state of disrepair. I'd just sold a photo of The Revue to a Toronto hotel too. Too bad photos will now be the only way to remember it as it was.
Anyone know what became of the signage? It would be tragic if they scrapped the lettering... Enough screwing around, let's get the revue up and running again now!
Anyone know what became of the signage? It would be tragic if they scrapped the lettering... Enough screwing around, let's get the revue up and running again now!
All the lettering was salvaged... no word on what future use/plans they'll be a part of.
Photos of the lettering on my photoblog - http://www.doublecrossed.ca/index.php?showimage=698
I used to work at the Revue. I have many fond memories of the theatre and of the people I worked with! I was very shocked walking by yesterday morning to find the marquee in pieces!!
I too worked at the Revue for many years (hi Kelly!) Discovering the marquee Monday morning as I was walking my kids to school was the shock of my life! And to think of all of the hours that I spent patching that thing up!
The more distinctive bits of the Revue have been salvaged, and it is my hope that the marquee can be rebuilt at some point in the future. Even though the city doesn't like overhangs (I wonder why!) exceptions are made from time to time.
I've been involved in the Revue Film Society since its inception last May, and it is beginning to look like our efforts are starting to pay off. If you want to learn more, please visit www.revuefilmsociety.org.
Cheers!
View More Events
Suggest an Event
Join the blogTO Flickr group
Join the blogTO YouTube Group
RSS