The Royal Theatre is a historic proscenium arch theatre and concert hall in downtown Victoria, British Columbia. Located on Broughton Street, it serves as one of Vancouver Island’s principal performing arts venues.
The theatre typically hosts opera, symphony concerts, ballet, contemporary dance, drama, comedy and large-scale touring musicals, as well as popular music and other live events. Resident cultural organisations include Pacific Opera Victoria and the Victoria Symphony, which use the building as a main performance base.
Opened in 1913 for live theatrical and musical performances, it was originally known as the Royal Victoria Opera House and later operated for many decades as a cinema under Famous Players. In the early 1970s local municipalities purchased and reinstated it as a live venue. After careful restoration in the early 21st century, the Royal Theatre now combines Edwardian grandeur and Rococo-inspired interiors with modern stage technology, remaining a cherished landmark in Victoria’s cultural life.
