The Gladstone Theatre has a fascinating history. Located in Ottawa’s Little Italy, it is one of the busiest theatres in Canada. Dozens of theatre companies and even commercial enterprises operate within this venue. What makes it unique? Ottawa Trend explores its story.
The History of The Gladstone Theatre
It is hard to imagine, but this theatre initially functioned as a truck repair garage. In 1982, the Great Canadian Theatre Company (GCTC), founded at Carleton University, began using the space as a permanent theatre.
In 2007, the GCTC moved to a new, purpose-built facility on Wellington Street West. Around the same time, local businesspeople Marilisa Granzotto and Steve Martin acquired the 910 Gladstone building, which had initially been a garage and later a theatre. Thanks to the efforts of Ottawa philanthropists, an extensive renovation project began.
Ottawa’s Independent Theatre: The Opening
In 2008, the new theatre officially opened under the name The Gladstone. What was the vision at the time? The goal was to create an affordable, slightly provocative, and entertaining professional theatre for Ottawa audiences. Over time, this vision was successfully realized.
In 2011, The Gladstone began offering its space for rent to independent theatre companies, which was a game-changer for groups struggling to find venues. The theatre pioneered an affordable rental model.
Here are some key facts about its operations:
- Through collaboration between Plosive Productions and SevenThirty Productions, structured programming was organized.
- David Whiteley of Plosive handled communication with theatre companies and individual Ottawa-based artists.
- The theatre’s partnership approach quickly paid off, attracting shows like Black Sheep Theatre and many other independent and community theatre companies.
What did The Gladstone’s audience gain from this collaboration? The theatre introduced new productions, lighthearted musicals and comedies, captivating dramas, and classic performances. It also featured original works by Ottawa playwrights.
The Building Was Sold
In 2015, the theatre building changed ownership once again, though The Gladstone itself remained. By 2016, thanks to dedicated community efforts, a volunteer steering committee was formed. Consultations with the public were conducted, and an online survey was distributed to gauge opinions on the theatre’s future.
This process confirmed the theatre’s significance to Ottawa residents and the strong support for its continued operation. As a result, in 2016, The Gladstone Theatre Inc., a non-profit organization, was officially registered.
At that time, the theatre housed twelve theatre companies representing various artistic styles, selling over 27,000 tickets annually. During the registration process, five companies were named as official residents—one being a community theatre company and the remaining four professional indie theatre companies.
Openness and Inclusivity
The Gladstone Theatre is an open space for all those who support Ottawa’s cultural diversity. This commitment is one of the key factors driving continued interest in the venue.
The theatre’s revenue comes from multiple sources:
- Rental income from theatre companies
- Service fees added to ticket sales
- Bar sales and grants
- Generous donations from patrons
As of 2023, the theatre’s managing director is Robin Guy, while the building’s owner is Betsy Burns Johnson. The theatre box office operates from Tuesday to Friday, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. The official website is regularly updated with details on past and upcoming productions. Given the theatre’s diverse and exciting repertoire, checking show descriptions in advance helps audiences choose the best performance for their preferences.
