VANCOUVER - Vancouver and Victoria - page 85

Vancouver Theatresports League of improvised comedy performs at the Improv
Centre (1502 Duranleau St., 604/738-7013, www.vtsl.com , Wed.-Sat.), with a waterfront
lounge providing an ideal destination for a pre-performance drink.
THE ARTS
Theater
Vancouver has theaters all over the city—for professional plays, amateur plays, comedy,
and“instant”theater.Intotal,thecityboastsaround30professionaltheatercompaniesand
more than 20 regular venues.
The Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts (777 Homer St., 604/602-0616,
www.centreinvancouver.com ) hosts the biggest of musical hits. Designed by renowned
architect Moshe Safdie, the modern wonder features a five-story glass lobby flanked by
granite walls. The tri-level theater seats more than 1,800 and boasts North America's
largest stage. Matinees cost from $50, and evening shows range $60-100. A similar
facility is the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts (6265 Crescent Rd., 604/822-9197,
www.chancentre.com ) , comprising three stages including the 1,400-seat Chan Shun Con-
cert Hall. It's on the UBC campus in Point Grey.
One of the great joys of summer in the city is sitting around Malkin Bowl in Stanley
Park watching Theatre under the Stars ( www.tuts.ca ). Since 1934 these shows have
drawn around 1,000 theater-goers nightly, with performances usually musically oriented
(7pmMon.-Sat.June-Aug.).Thesettingitself,anopenamphitheatersurroundedbytower-
ingDouglasfirtrees,isasmuchofanattractionastheperformance.Tickets(adult$29-44,
child $27-42) go on sale at noon daily from a booth beside the bowl. Another summer
production is Bard on the Beach (604/739-0559, www.bardonthebeach.org , mid-June to
late Sept.), a celebration of the works of Shakespeare that takes place in huge, open-ended
tents in Vanier Park. Tickets are well priced at just $24-45.
The Arts Club Theatre (1585JohnstonSt.,604/687-1644, www.artsclub.com )always
offersexcellenttheaterproductionsatthe Granville Island Stage. Productionsrangefrom
drama to comedy to improv. Tickets run $24-43; book in advance and pick up your tickets
at the door 30 minutes before showtime. Another venue for the Arts Club is the restored
Stanley Industrial Alliance Theatre (2750 Granville St.), south of the island at 12th Av-
enue.