Theatre Trivia
In 1736, the Dock Street Theatre in Charles-Towne, South Carolina was the first building in North America built solely as a theatre. Toronto would not have its own purpose-built, stand-alone theatre until 1834, when the Theatre Royal opened at King and Bay.
FAQ's
WHICH THEATRES ARE MIRVISH OWNED?
Mirvish Productions owns and operates the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Wales, Ed Mirvish and Panasonic Theatres. There are times when other theatres and venues are used for our productions. This will be clearly noted on this website.
WHO IS THE AUTHORISED TICKET AGENT FOR THE THEATRES?
TicketKing is the official ticket agent for the Mirvish Theatres. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333. Official websites for the Mirvish Theatres are www.mirvish.com and www.ticketking.com.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I PURCHASE MY TICKET FROM AN UNAUTHORISED SELLER (SCALPER)?
Be aware that the theatre may refuse to honour a ticket known to have been acquired from an unauthorised source. Ticket brokers and agents - also known as scalpers, or touts - buy tickets to popular events in bulk, in advance, to resell later at a profit. It is illegal in Ontario to sell a theatre ticket for more than the price printed on the ticket. Scalpers slip under the law by selling tickets at face value, but adding on administrative charges and finder's fees that can double or treble the price. Brokers have also been known to sell counterfeit and stolen tickets. While some brokers and agents are reputable and provide a service to the desperate, it is an expensive service and the buyer must beware.
ARE CHILDREN ALLOWED IN THE THEATRE?
Babes in arms or children under the age of two (2) are not permitted in the theatre. Children older than two (2) should be able to sit quietly in their own seats throughout a performance. If you are in doubt about bringing a child to any particular production, please ask before buying tickets. Please be aware that if you do bring a young child and that child creates any disturbance, you may be asked to leave the auditorium. Some individual shows, may set higher age limits; if so, this will be posted on our website. Parents are reminded, however, that most live, professional theatre - unless specifically advertised as being for children or "for the whole family" - is intended as adult entertainment and may not be enjoyed by, or be suitable for, children.
DOES MY CHILD NEED A TICKET? CAN HE SIT ON MY LAP?
Both the Fire Code and theatre insurance policies require everyone in a live theatre audience, regardless of age, to have an assigned seat and a ticket. This is the case even if the child sits in your lap and not in his assigned seat.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE THEATRE?
There is no formal dress code enforced in our theatres. Most of the people you will see in the audience will probably be dressed in a "business casual" style.
HOW EARLY MUST I ARRIVE?
We suggest that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the show. Those arriving after the show begins may not be seated until there is a suitable "break" in the performance, as determined by the theatre manager, with the permission of the producer and director... but please don't be late; it's very rude to your fellow audience members.
HOW LONG IS THE SHOW?
Different shows have different running times. The approximate running times of our shows - including any intermissions - are posted with the show's pricing and scheduling information on this web site.
ARE THERE DISCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN, STUDENTS OR SENIORS?
While some of the non-theatrical events offered through this web site by TicketKing may have senior/adult/student/child pricing, most theatre productions do not; the price of the ticket is determined by seat location, date and time and is the same for all ages. If graduated pricing is not specifically advertised, it is not available.
IS THERE A DISCOUNT FOR SAME-DAY TICKETS?
Limited same-day or "rush seating" discounts may sometimes be offered as a special promotion. Generally speaking, however, they are not available. If they are not specifically advertised, you may assume that there are none.
WHAT ABOUT GROUP RATES? HOW MANY DO I NEED FOR A GROUP DISCOUNT?
Group discounts are available for most of our events. The minimum size of a "group" may vary with different events - for most live theatre productions, the minimum order for a group discount is 20 persons. Please check our Group Sales page for full details.
CAN I TAKE PICTURES OF THE SHOW?
No. Cameras, video cameras, cell phones and any other sound or image-recording devices are all strictly forbidden in theatres. Bring one in and attempt to use it and you may be asked to leave the theatre immediately. Any photos taken may be confiscated and destroyed.
CAN I TEXT OR TWEET DURING THE SHOW?
So as not to disturb others, please refrain from tweeting and texting during the show. When the curtain goes up, your device must be turned off. We do however encourage folks to tweet us pre and post show and during intermission @mirvish
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD AND DRINKS?
Once upon a time, food and drinks (other than bottled water) were prohibited in the theatre auditorium, but times are changing and these days, for most productions, we do allow snacks and drinks in the house. If prohibited, there will be signage indicating this at the theatre. The only strictly prohibited items of food and drink are those in glass bottles. We ask only that you restrict yourself to snacks and drinks you've purchased in the theatre (in safe and appropriate containers) and remind you that anyone disturbing other patrons with munching, crunching or the rattling of bags may be asked to stop it, or leave.
CAN WE COME ON STAGE/BACKSTAGE AFTER THE SHOW AND MEET THE CAST?
That would be lots of fun, but, unfortunately, no. Visitors are not permitted backstage; no one not in the cast or crew is permitted on stage. Many people go to the stage door after the show to see and meet cast members - and get autographs - but both the stage and the backstage area are strictly off-limits to anyone not directly involved with the production. This is not because we are mean, but is for reasons of safety (and insurance).
ARE YOUR THEATRES WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE?
Yes, there is wheelchair and assisted seating available in all our theatres. The locations, however, vary in different venues. If you require wheelchair seating - or have any other special seating needs - please call TicketKing at 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333 for help before making your ticket purchase. You can read about special-needs seating by clicking here.
I AM HEARING-IMPAIRED. DO YOUR THEATRES OFFER AMPLIFICATION?
The Royal Alexandra, Princess of Wales and Ed Mirvish theatres are all equipped with an infra-red sound amplification system. The Panasonic Theatre is not. The infra-red system requires the use of headsets which may be obtained, free-of-charge (a refundable deposit is required). Please click here for further information on the listening systems.
I MUST HAVE AN AISLE SEAT. HOW CAN I BE SURE MY SEAT IS ON AN AISLE?
If you have any specific seating needs, please call TicketKing for help - 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333 - before making your ticket purchase.
WHAT IF I CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE SHOW? CAN I GET A REFUND OR EXCHANGE MY TICKETS FOR ANOTHER DATE?
Sorry, but the answer is no. Reserved-seat theatre ticket sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges. Make sure you get the date right when you make your purchase.
WHAT IF I LOSE MY TICKETS?
If you lose your tickets, please call TicketKing as soon as you become aware of the loss: 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333. We cannot always reprint your tickets, but we can issue a seating voucher for you to pick up at the box office. Please note, however, that vouchers and replacement tickets will be issued ONLY to the person who bought the ticket in the first place; if you lose tickets purchased or otherwise acquired from a third party, you must ask the original purchaser to make the request.
I'VE ORDERED EMAIL PRINT-AT-HOME TICKETS ONLINE. WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE THEM?
Print-at-home tickets are sent to you as PDF attachments to an email and you should receive them almost immediately - certainly within a day of your order. If you have not received them by the next day, please call TicketKing at 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333. Please note: the two most common reasons why people do not receive their print-at-home tickets are (1) they have entered incorrect email addresses in their orders; (2) the email is mistakenly flagged as spam and rejected. To ensure email from TicketKing reaches your inbox, please add tickets@ticketking.com to your email address book or spam filter permission list.
I'M ORDERING TICKETS ONLINE, CAN YOU MAIL THEM TO A FRIEND OR RELATIVE'S ADDRESS?
No, we cannot. The mailing address on your order must match the billing address registered for the credit card used. This is for your protection as well as ours. If you don't want your tickets mailed to you, you can request that they be held for you at the box office.
CAN SOMEONE ELSE PICK MY TICKETS UP AT THE BOX OFFICE FOR ME?
Anyone collecting pre-purchased tickets at the box office must show the credit card with which the tickets were purchased... or a signed letter from the card-holder, quoting the card number, and authorising him to make the pick-up. This rule is to prevent fraudulent use of an improperly obtained credit card number in any telephone or online transaction.
WILL YOU RESERVE SEATS FOR ME BY EMAIL? I WILL PAY WHEN I COLLECT THE TICKETS.
No, sorry, we cannot do this. Tickets are not "reserved" until purchased. They cannot be held for you against future payment.
I DON'T HAVE A CREDIT CARD. WHERE CAN I BUY TICKETS FOR CASH?
You can make cash payments at any of our theatre box offices - and any box office can handle tickets for any of the theatres; you can buy tickets for the Royal Alexandra at the Ed Mirvish or the Princess of Wales, or for the Princess of Wales at the Ed Mirvish or the Royal Alex, or for the Ed Mirvish at the Royal Alex or Princess of Wales. Click here for box office locations and hours.
ARE YOUR PRICES IN U.S., OR CANADIAN DOLLARS?
All our quoted prices are in Canadian dollars.
CAN YOU TELL ME YOUR PRICES IN YEN, POUNDS, EUROS OR U.S. DOLLARS?
We do not set separate price lists in other currencies. Rates of exchange vary daily. If you make a ticket purchase by credit card, we will bill your card in Canadian dollars. Your credit card company will, in turn, bill you in your local currency, applying the rate of exchange it has set on the date on which the exchange is made.
ARE THERE TAXES ON TICKETS?
The only tax applied is the 13% Harmonized and Services Tax (HST), similar to the British VAT. This tax is included in the quoted ticket price; it is not added on.
I AM A VISITOR TO CANADA. CAN I GET A REFUND ON THE GST WHEN I LEAVE THE COUNTRY?
Unfortunately, no. Refunds are given only on taxes paid on goods purchased in Canada and exported, unused, from Canada. Your theatre ticket is considered "used" in Canada and the tax paid on it is not refundable.
WHAT ARE THE BEST SEATS?
That one's almost impossible to answer. First, it depends on the show; different set designs can affect the view from different seats - for example, the elevation of the stage, the height of the set, the rake (angle up) of the stage, the width of the set. Second, much depends on personal preferences - for example, many people insist on sitting in the first two or three rows - wouldn't dream of sitting anywhere else - while others find the first rows too close for comfort (or for a full view of the action); some people love the box seats for their roominess and their aura of exclusivity, while others say they don't like the box seats' angled view of the stage. Generally speaking, 'though, most people would probably agree that the best stage views in any of the theatres - most of the time - would be those enjoyed from seats (1) nearest the centre, in the front-middle of the orchestra (ground) level; or (2) those nearest the centre in either the first few rows of the first balcony (also known as the "dress circle" or "mezzanine") or the first two or three rows of the second balcony ("the gods"). Before buying your seats, have a good look at our seating maps online, here.
DO I HAVE TO BUY TICKETS IN ADVANCE, OR CAN I BUY THEM WHEN I COME TO THE THEATRE?
There is no requirement that you purchase advance tickets. You may buy your tickets at the box office as you enter the theatre, but you will be gambling that there are still seats available. Many performances sell out well in advance and you may find that your seating choices are very limited, if there are any remaining seats at all.
HOW DO I GET TO THE THEATRE? WHERE CAN I PARK MY CAR? WHERE CAN I EAT? WHAT HOTELS ARE NEARBY?
This information is all available on our web site. Just click here for maps and directions... and here for a list of area restaurants... and here for a guide to area hotels. Please note that it is sometimes possible to purchase hotel/theatre ticket packages or theatre/restaurant packages for some of our productions; discounted hotel rates, when available, are provided for those who purchase tickets and book their hotel rooms at the same time. Information on current packages is available ONLY through the TicketKing phone centre at 1.800.461.3333 or 416.872.1212
CAN I ASK THE CAST TO SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AUNT BETTY?
No, not while there is an audience in the theatre. You may certainly ask the cast, crew and front-of-house staff to stay late and perform privately for you, but you will then be responsible for paying them, not to mention renting the theatre.
I'M GOING TO PROPOSE TO MY GIRLFRIEND (BOYFRIEND, PARTNER, WHATEVER) AT THE SHOW. WILL YOU MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE STAGE TO MAKE THIS EXTRA SPECIAL?
See the question above. The answer is the same. No.
CAN I BE PUT ON A MAILING LIST TO BE NOTIFIED OF SPECIAL OFFERS AND UPCOMING EVENTS?
Yes you can! Click here to join our regular newsletter mailing list.
Anything we've left out? Contact us by phone at 416.872.1212 or 1.800.461.3333 or by email at info@mirvish.com