Vancouver Playhouse

Information

Polished and intimate, the Vancouver Playhouse exudes a cozy atmosphere that lends a familial dimension to dance, film and theatre performances.

The forward plan of the stage makes the space particularly appealing for acoustically driven performances like chamber music and spoken theatre.

Playhouse History Explore VCT events

Construction 1962

Inspiration

The Vancouver Playhouse is a favourite among performance groups who wish to connect more intimately with their audiences. Frequent presenters include DanceHouse, bringing in dance groups from around the world; Friends of Chamber Music, one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Vancouver; and the Vancouver Recital Society, which presents emerging young artists alongside seasoned award-winners.

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Primary Performers

Visiting Patrons

Getting there

The Vancouver Playhouse audience entrance is located at 600 Hamilton Street, Vancouver. The main cross roads are Hamilton Street & Dunsmuir Street.
The Translink Skytrain and Canada line are a convenient choice of transportation while visiting the QET and Playhouse theatres. Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain station: on Dunsmuir Street one block east of the theatre. Vancouver City Centre Canada Line station: on West Georgia Street five blocks west of the theatre
There are several City of Vancouver Mobi bike-share station that are location at and nearby our venues. Please visit www.mobibikes.ca for more details.

Parking

Parking is available at the Easy Park Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade, beneath the theatre itself. The entrance is off of Cambie Street between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Streets. Parking is limited, so arrive early. Please note the maximum vehicle height is 6"4".

Our parkade is managed by EasyPark. More information including hourly and event rates can be found here.
Larwill Park: Parking lot across the street from the Queen Elizabeth Theatre between West Georgia and Dunsmuir Street; entrance off Cambie Street. Vancouver Public Library: Underground lot between West Georgia and Robson Street; entrance off Hamilton Street
Accessible parking is available at the Easy Park Queen Elizabeth Theatre parkade with an accessible parking decal. Accessible parking may be reserved ahead of time, call Easy Park at 1-888-501-1343 for more information or to reserve. There is an elevator from parking to the QET and Playhouse Hamilton Street entrances which is available 60 minutes before show times.

Acccessibility

Wheelchair seating is on the orchestra level. There are 5 wheelchair spaces in the theatre.
There is a driveway for taxis and for pick up and drop off of handicapped patrons.
Elevator access goes between the main lobby and balcony. There is also an elevator from parking to the QET and Playhouse Hamilton Street entrances which is open 60 minutes before show times.
Wheelchair accessible washrooms are on the orchestra levels.
Hearing-assist units and binoculars at available at the main lobby coat check.
Only certified guide and service dogs are allowed into VCT venues. Guide and service dogs help people with disabilities avoid hazards or perform tasks. Guide dogs help people with visual impairments while service dogs help people with other kinds of disabilities such as hearing impairments and epilepsy. They can help a person navigate through public areas, alert them to sounds, open doors and do other tasks. British Columbia’s Guide Dog and Service Dog Act and regulation govern how guide and service dogs and their handlers are certified. Certification increases public safety, raises training standards and improves public access for dog and handler teams. Emotional Support Animals (not certified) are currently not allowed in VCT venues.

Show information & theatre etiquette

The box office typically opens two hours before performances for patrons to pick-up or purchase tickets to that evening's event only. The box office is operated by the ticket seller for the host event and is not open between performances.
Our lobby is open one hour before performances. We offer a selection of tempting snacks, local craft beers, and hand-picked BC wines. Beat the line-up by pre-ordering your intermission drinks! We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and debit cards. Cash only at the coat check.
The Vancouver Playhouse has a spacious coat check. Each patron is charged $4.
If you are late to a performance, please be aware that you may not be seated until intermission. Video monitors are available in the theatre lobby to follow the action on stage. To honour the performance's integrity, the show's producer will determine 24 hours in advance when latecomers may be seated. In some cases, latecomers may be seated in the Balcony. Patrons may move to their purchased seats at the first intermission. In other cases, latecomers may be seated at an appropriate break in the performance.
Vancouver Civic Theatres requires that all audience members, including children, must have a ticket. There are no exemptions to this policy regardless of the child's age.
Taking professional photographs and recording performances in theatres is not allowed unless authorized by the promoter or producer. Cameras and recording devices may be confiscated by theatre staff for the duration of the show. Please be respectful when using your smartphone in performances as it can be a distraction for other patrons.

Lost and found

To enquire about lost and found items, phone 604-665-2193.

Banned Items

Certain items may be confiscated at the door by security if deemed dangerous. Large bags will be checked at the coat check. All wheeled items other than wheelchairs must remain in the lobby or in the coat check during the performance. These items are considered hazardous if an evacuation becomes necessary.

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