Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Construction on the Monarch Theatre began in downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1910. On December 21, 1911 the theatre celebrated its grand opening, and has since been recognized as one of the first theatres (if not the oldest purpose-built cinema) in Canada to be constructed specifically for showing films. When it opened it had 560 seats and space for a four piece band.

In the 1910s the original design of the Monarch Theatre featured an arched entry way with an exterior ticket booth. This design was updated to the current Art Deco style in the 1930s.

While the Monarch had been in continuous operation since opening, it closed in 2007, was purchased by the City of Medicine Hat in 2008, and reopened again in 2009. Since then, the Monarch Theatre has undergone numerous improvements, including a new digital projector and interior restorations. That said, the theatre still has a tremendous amount of potential to be utilized not just as a cinema, but as an event space and venue for live acts.

More than a century on, the Monarch Theatre remains a charming historic landmark within the downtown core. As improvements progress and appreciation grows, I can only hope that movie-goers continue to see the value in preserving and utilizing this distinctly local cinema.

View from the projection room.

Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1948.

Behind the screen.

Monarch Theatre in Medicine Hat, Alberta in 1948.

Vintage Peter Pan poster discovered in the basement.

The old projector prior to being updated with the digital one in 2012.

Original Monarch Theatre exterior in 1913.