This 1½-storey brick theatre on Main Street in Winnipeg, measuring 34.6 feet by 102.6 feet, was designed by local architect James Alexander Gauld. It was built in 1909 by contractor Lee Fletcher for theatre operator Ernest Von Ferber (1845-1918) at a cost of about $14,000. The theatre had a seating capacity of about 350 people and opened officially on 23 October 1909.
Known originally as Von’s Theatre, in 1911 it was renamed the Royal Theatre. In November 1922, the Community Players leased it and, after an extensive renovation, which reduced the theatre's seating capacity to about 300 people, it was renamed the Little Theatre and reopened on 7 December 1922. Five years later, the company bought the theatre.
In 1936, the building was purchased by theatre operator M. W. Tiller who commissioned the architectural firm of Green Blankstein Russell and Associates to design alterations, with subcontractors including Sures Brothers Limited (rugs), Langley Electric Manufacturing Company Limited (electrical equipment), City Lumber & Fuel Yards Limited (lumber, sash, interior trim, doors, donnacona decorative board), and Cinama Supplies Incorporated (projectors, “Aireloc” full upholstered chairs, “Ultaphone-Jewell” sound system, “Jewell” lamps and reflectors, and screen) at a cost of about $3,000. It was renamed the Times Theatre and now, with seating capacity of about 400 people, it reopened officially on 29 August 1936.
The theatre operated under various names until it closed in April 1957, when the building was renovated and used for retail. It housed a tropical fish store at the time of 2020 and 2024 site visits.
The former Von's Theatre (January 2020)
Source: George Penner
The former Von's Theatre (November 2024)
Source: Jordan Makichuk
Rear of the former Von's Theatre (August 2025)
Source: Jordan MakichukSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.91152, W97.13245
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: James Alexander Gauld (1859-1932)
Memorable Manitobans: Lee Fletcher (1880-1964)
Manitoba Organization: Winnipeg Little Theatre / Theatre 77 / Manitoba Theatre Centre / Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
Manitoba Business: Green Blankstein Russell and Associates
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1314/1909, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Von’s Theatre,” Manitoba Free Press, 23 October 1909, page 20.
“Von’s Theatre,” Manitoba Free Press, 11 January 1910, page 8.
“Von’s Theatre,” Manitoba Free Press, 22 January 1910, page 18.
“Little Theatre enthusiasts “painting up”,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 November 1922, page 8.
Henderson’s Winnipeg and Brandon Directories, Henderson Directories Limited, Peel’s Prairie Provinces, University of Alberta Libraries.
“Two fine plays at Little Theatre,” Manitoba Free Press, 8 December 1922, page 12.
City of Winnipeg Building Permit 1235/1936, City of Winnipeg Archives.
“Building permits for six months total $612,700,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 June 1936, page 33.
“Times Theatre grand opening,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 August 1936, page 19.
“New ‘Times’ Theatre will open Saturday,” Winnipeg Tribune, 28 August 1936, page 19.
Winnipeg fire insurance map, #216 March 1963, City of Winnipeg Archives.
Ernst Von Ferber, Ancestry.
Theatres of Winnipeg 1900 to Present.
“959 Main Street - Former Winnipeg Little Theatre” by Christian Cassidy, Winnipeg Places, 14 September 2018.
This page was prepared by Jordan Makichuk, George Penner, and S. Goldsborough.
Page revised: 12 October 2025
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