EDMONTON’S ROXY
THEATER GOES UP IN FLAMES
The aftermath of an early morning fire at the Roxy
Theatre (10708 124 ST NW) in west-central Edmonton. Tuesday, January 13, 2015.
Vinesh Pratap, Global News
EDMONTON – The curtain has fallen on the
77-year-old Roxy Theatre,
after it was destroyed by fire early Tuesday morning.
At 3:51 a.m fire crews were called by the building’s
alarm company to the iconic theatre on 124 Street, near 107 Avenue. They
arrived four minutes later to find the theatre engulfed in flames and thick
smoke billowing from the back of the building.
A second alarm was called at 4:09 a.m, and it quickly
became clear the historic entertainment venue could not be saved.
“It became very apparent right away that we had to fight
this from the outside,” said Deputy Chief Barry Lamb, Edmonton Fire
Rescue. “Because of the roof collapse we went to an exterior attack
right off the onset.”
The building’s walls began to collapse about an hour
after crews arrived. About 50 firefighters and 12 units were on scene by 6
a.m. Crews worked to put the fire out and protect surrounding businesses.
“We do anticipate some water damage to the building to
the south. Other than that, we have contained the fire to the building of
origin,” said Deputy Chief Lamb.
“There was a bit of a twinge this morning when I heard
it was the Roxy. It’s a big part of our city. It’s sad,” he added.
The Roxy opened in 1938 as a movie theatre, before being
converted for live performances in 1989. The small venue could seat between 198
and 220 people, according to YEGLive.ca.
The theatre’s next performance series show, Cheerleader!, was set to begin previews Tuesday night, and
open for a 10-day run on January 15.
“Oh my god. It hurts,” said Cheerleader playwright
Morgan Smith. “It’s like physical pain looking at this thing.”
Smith was supposed to be preparing for opening night,
but instead, she was surveying what was left of the Roxy.
“I hope we could put it up somewhere. I know we will
find support if we do,” she said.
The Theatre Network, which runs the Roxy, said the fire
is “a devastating blow” but that board and management are already developing
plans for the Roxy’s future. It also said online
donations are already been accepted to help rebuild.
“It’s a huge loss for probably almost everyone in
Edmonton theatre,” said director Michael Clark.
The Roxy Theatre was a place where many young artists
cut their teeth.
“My worry is that it’s going to delay the art,” said
Adam Kuss, artistic director of the Walterdale Theatre.