University Exhibition Research Project: Globe Theatre Study

This exhibition research project focuses on the Globe Theatre, a burlesque theatre and cinema located in Toronto, Canada. The project examines the theatre's history, including its establishment in 1918, its initial function as a burlesque venue, and its eventual transition to showcasing vaudeville and movies. The study analyzes the theatre's location, its capacity, and the demographics of its audience, particularly highlighting its appeal to the urban middle and upper-middle classes. The project also delves into the specific film screenings at the Globe Theatre, such as Charles Chaplin films and the movie 'Tilly's Punctured Romance', and discusses how the theatre promoted itself to attract a wider audience. Furthermore, the project also includes a comparative study with the Frontier Theatre in Vancouver, exploring its architectural trends and its role as a popular entertainment destination in the 1920s. The project uses references from IMDb to support its analysis and understand the cultural impact of the Globe Theatre.

Running head: EXHIBITION RESEARCH PROJECT: GLOBE THEATRE
EXHIBITION RESEARCH PROJECT: GLOBE THEATRE
Student’s name
University
Author’s note

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EXHIBITION RESEARCH PROJECT: GLOBE THEATRE
The Globe Theatre, currently known as the Broadway Theatre was a live burlesque
theatre and cinema situated on the southwest corner of Bay and Queen Streets at 75 Queen Street
West in Toronto, Canada. It was opened in 1918 under the name of Globe Theater. The
establishment was initially established as a burlesque theatre, where dramatic and musical
productions were staged involving caricature to present comic work of art. It also offered
vaudeville and movies. It had a seating capacity of around 500 people. The location of the
theatre, at the intersection of Bay Street and Queen Street West, made it accessible to the public.
It was a medium sized urban structure, located amidst other commercial establishments. There
was the low-budget White hotel and also, the Casino was only 5 doors away from the
establishment, situating the theatre amidst the hub of the urban luxuries.
However, the theatre did not attracted many family audience given its uncensored
contents and erotic performances. Hence, the theatre authority took up several promotional
initiatives to popularize the spot. It had a large screen with up-to-date sound system and were
fashioned after posh, luxurious theatres of the United States to appeal to the upper-class, urban
population. It also had cosmetics lounge and restroom facilities for both men and women,
although female audience did not turn out much.
For the present program, the particular theatre was chosen for its popularity among the
young audience. The establishment mainly attracts urban upper-middle class and middle class
audiences. It is interesting to note that the audience mostly consist of white male population,
given the nature of burlesque and vaudeville contents it offered. Hence, there is a high chance of
attracting audience for a Charles Chaplin film, who was a newly found screen sensation scouted
by the Keystone Studios. The movie also stars Marie Dressler and Mable Normand. Dressler, at

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EXHIBITION RESEARCH PROJECT: GLOBE THEATRE
that point of time, was a renowned stage and screen actress, and a stalwart of the Silent
Comedies. Mable Normand, on the other hand, had a huge popularity among the Canadian
population and was in the peak of her career during the late 1910s (IMDb.com).
The movie itself, Tilly’s Punctured Romance, was significant in itself, as it was the first
feature length film in the history of silent cinema. Produced by the Keystone Film Company, the
film was based on Dressler’s stage play Tillie's Nightmare, which was already a big hit in both
Canada and in the USA (IMDb.com).
Apart from the movie, the program also is designed to hold a special screening of
Mable’s Married Life, another popular short film starring Charles Chaplin and Mable Normand
(IMDb.com). Thus, screening of two hit comedies are likely to attract a large audience, who are
otherwise not able to watch current movies around the locality. Besides, the cosmetics lounge
and the ladies’ restroom facility, along with the civil nature of the contents, are also expected to
attract female audiences as well.

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EXHIBITION RESEARCH PROJECT: GLOBE THEATRE
References
IMDb.com. Mabel's Married Life (1914) - IMDb. Retrieved 19 March 2020, from
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004282/
IMDb.com. Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914) - IMDb. Retrieved 19 March 2020, from
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0004707/
Taylor, D. (2014). “Broadway (Globe, Roxy)” Toronto Theatres and the Golden Age of the
Silver Screen. History Press.