Imperial Theatre

Imperial Theatre. Le Théâtre Imperial. English , Constructed in 1912-1913 to the designs of Philadelphia architect A.E. Westover, this structure was built by the Keith-Albee chain of New York City and its Canadian subsidiary, the Saint John Amusements Company. Dramatic, musical and vaudeville performances were highlighted in the early years. Theatres of this kind, constructed between 1912 and 1930, were among the grandest built in Canada, and acted as a transition between traditional 19th century theatres and the movie palaces of the 20th century. This building has played a central role in the social and cultural life of the city., French , Cet édifice fut bâti en 1912-1913 par la firme Keith-Albee, de New York, et sa filiale canadienne, la Saint John Amusements Company, selon les plans de l’architecte A.E. Westover, de Philadelphie. On y présentait au début de pièces de théâtre, des revues musicales et des pentacles de variétés. Les théâtres de ce genre, construits entre 1912 et 1930, comptaient parmi les plus majestueux au Canada et faisaient la transition entre les théâtres traditionnels de XIXᵉ siècle et les grandes salles de cinéma du XXᵉ . Celui-ci fut au coeur de la vie socio-cultuelle de la ville.