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Also Known As: Bennett's Theatre

Bennett's vaudeville theatre, which opened in December 1906, introduced regular showings of moving pictures to Ottawa under the patronage of the Governor General, Lady Laurier and the Mayor. Although the movies were only a minor attraction on the bill, the Journal reviewer enthused that they were "the best ever shown in Ottawa." ("Opening") He was also fulsome in his description of the new theatre's interior, which he judged as

handsome — decorated with many beautiful paintings and scenic effects. Decorative effects in entrance are of Pompeian style with Bacchante figures worked out to advantage. In the dome of the main part of the ceiling, the paintings are magnificent, being worked out in old Italian style. The centre figure represents music, with a fairy dancer on one side and on the other figures representing music.

The paintings were the work of Frank Righetti of New York, and the theatre's architect was E. C. Horn. In addition, the theatre provided 18 exits, a ladies' parlour with a "courteous maid," writing material and recent magazines for waiting patrons, and a telephone messenger service (Programme).  For the next 14 years this theatre, renamed the Dominion when the Bennett circuit expired, was Ottawa's "number one" vaudeville house.

Works Cited

"Opening of New Theatre," Ottawa Journal, 11 December 1906, p. 5

Programme, Bennett's Theatre, Ottawa, 8 April 1907, in PAC Library