Factory Theatre
Encyclopedia
Factory Theatre is a theatre in Toronto
, Ontario
, founded as Factory Theatre Lab in 1970 by Ken Gass and Frank Trotz.
Factory was the first theatre to announce that it would exclusively produce Canadian
plays, but it soon became a widely emulated policy by other theatre companies. Factory quickly became known as the home of the Canadian playwright, and is especially associated with George F. Walker
, most of whose plays premiered there.
In 1977, Ken Gass's own play, Winter Offensive aroused widespread protest because of what was regarded as its gratuitous depiction of sex and violence amongst the upper echelons of the Nazi party. Exhausted by the controversy and frustrated by what he saw as the excessive conservatism and philistinism of the community, Ken Gass resigned. Gass was succeeded as Artistic Director of Factory by Bob White (1977–87), then Jackie Maxwell
(1987–95), then Michael Springate for one season, 1995-96. At this point, the theatre, which had often experienced grave financial difficulties, was on the verge of bankruptcy and it was widely assumed that the company would have to close for good. However, Ken Gass returned in 1996 to resume the Artistic Directorship with the intention of putting the theatre back on its feet. His bold decision to perform all six of the plays in George F. Walker
's Suburban Motel as a full season brought the theatre a remarkably swift return to popularity, relevance and financial prosperity. In 1999, the company was able to buy the Bathurst Street building in which it had been housed for past two decades, and it continues to be make a vital contribution to Canadian theatre.
Factory Theatre consists of two main buildings. The first is the original 1896 house and the second is the 1910 addition. The building is also known as the John Mulvey House. It was given Heritage Status by the Ontario Heritage board in 1987.
The original house was constructed in a classic Queen Ann Gothic design for the prominent Toronto Merchant John Mulvey in 1869.
It is attributed to architects Gundry & Langley. The house’s architectural features include:
In 1909, the property was sold to the Roman Catholic Church, Parish of St. Mary and was used as their Arts and Literary Centre.
The larger addition to the complex was built in 1910 and designed by J.M. Cowan. It includes a church hall set up in theatre style with an overhanging balcony still in use today.
The addition’s main architectural features all face Adelaide Street. They are:
Before Factory Theatre occupied the building in 1983, it had been used as a residence, a manse, and a daycare
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, founded as Factory Theatre Lab in 1970 by Ken Gass and Frank Trotz.
Factory was the first theatre to announce that it would exclusively produce Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
plays, but it soon became a widely emulated policy by other theatre companies. Factory quickly became known as the home of the Canadian playwright, and is especially associated with George F. Walker
George F. Walker
George F. Walker, CM is a Canadian playwright and screenwriter. He is one of Canada's most prolific playwrights, and also one of the most widely produced Canadian dramatists both in Canada and internationally.-Early years:...
, most of whose plays premiered there.
In 1977, Ken Gass's own play, Winter Offensive aroused widespread protest because of what was regarded as its gratuitous depiction of sex and violence amongst the upper echelons of the Nazi party. Exhausted by the controversy and frustrated by what he saw as the excessive conservatism and philistinism of the community, Ken Gass resigned. Gass was succeeded as Artistic Director of Factory by Bob White (1977–87), then Jackie Maxwell
Jackie Maxwell
Jackie Maxwell , theatre director and dramaturge.Maxwell was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. After earning an Honours degree in Drama at the University of Manchester, England, Maxwell accompanied her husband, Benedict Campbell, back to his native Canada, where she began to work as a director at...
(1987–95), then Michael Springate for one season, 1995-96. At this point, the theatre, which had often experienced grave financial difficulties, was on the verge of bankruptcy and it was widely assumed that the company would have to close for good. However, Ken Gass returned in 1996 to resume the Artistic Directorship with the intention of putting the theatre back on its feet. His bold decision to perform all six of the plays in George F. Walker
George F. Walker
George F. Walker, CM is a Canadian playwright and screenwriter. He is one of Canada's most prolific playwrights, and also one of the most widely produced Canadian dramatists both in Canada and internationally.-Early years:...
's Suburban Motel as a full season brought the theatre a remarkably swift return to popularity, relevance and financial prosperity. In 1999, the company was able to buy the Bathurst Street building in which it had been housed for past two decades, and it continues to be make a vital contribution to Canadian theatre.
Building History
Architect Gundry and Langley designed the building in 1869. J.M. Cowan is considered the subsequent architect/consultant.Factory Theatre consists of two main buildings. The first is the original 1896 house and the second is the 1910 addition. The building is also known as the John Mulvey House. It was given Heritage Status by the Ontario Heritage board in 1987.
The original house was constructed in a classic Queen Ann Gothic design for the prominent Toronto Merchant John Mulvey in 1869.
It is attributed to architects Gundry & Langley. The house’s architectural features include:
- an asymmetrical façade
- an irregular gabled roof
- a fine buff brickwork with stone sills and hood mouldings
- a Gothic arch entry
In 1909, the property was sold to the Roman Catholic Church, Parish of St. Mary and was used as their Arts and Literary Centre.
The larger addition to the complex was built in 1910 and designed by J.M. Cowan. It includes a church hall set up in theatre style with an overhanging balcony still in use today.
The addition’s main architectural features all face Adelaide Street. They are:
- a distinctive façade
- a central oriel window
- two flanking entrances with arched transoms
Before Factory Theatre occupied the building in 1983, it had been used as a residence, a manse, and a daycare