Coming to Vancouver but don't know where to stay? We have a nifty hotel search engine that you can use to plan your trip. It will give you a range of hotels close to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.
Going to the opera for the first time? Or know someone who is? It can seem intimidating, but rest assured it is not! People of all ages and walks of life enjoy opera, especially here in Vancouver. No matter who you are, you'll fit right in.
You can read up on the opera in advance on the Vancouver Opera website. We have synopses, music clips, videos from rehearsals and video interviews with the cast and creative team to help you prepare. (We also have manga versions of each opera!). Check it all out here.
If you don't have time to explore the website, not to worry: you'll be given a house program at the theatre that includes a synopsis, history, notes on the production, and notes on the music.
And if you don't get a chance to read all that, that's fine, because there will be English translations projected above the stage during the performance, so you'll still know exactly what's going on.
How do I get tickets?
You can buy single tickets online, using our very swank Select Your Own Seat application, which actually lets you check out the view of the stage from any seat in the house! Or you can call the friendly people at our Ticket Centre, 604-683-0222, Monday to Friday from 9:00am - 5:00pm. You can also come to the Ticket Centre at 1945 McLean Drive, near 3rd Ave and Clark. Free parking!
If you'd like to come to all the operas in a season, consider a subscription, which comes with several great benefits. Here are some details.
Opera Manga!
I have my tickets! I'm so excited! OMG what do I wear?
Wear whatever you'd like! There's no dress code. Some people like to dress up, especially on opening night, but many people go casual. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in (especially since some operas can be 3 hours long).
Photo courtesy of the stylish opera lovers Erin Gillespie and John Christensen
How do I get to the theatre?
Please note! The Vancouver Opera Ticket Centre and offices are NOT in the same location as the theatre!
All Vancouver Opera mainstage productions take place at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, which is on the corner of Hamilton and Georgia, downtown Vancouver. The closest Skytrain is Stadium-Chinatown. Here are some tips for driving and parking. Get there early - hockey games and concerts are often on the same nights as our performances, which means it can get crazy busy downtown!
Can I have dinner at the theatre?
While there is no restaurant on-site, there is a bar and concession. However, if you'd like more than wine and candy bars for dinner, you'll have to go farther afield. Here are some options for pre-show and post-show dining.
What happens if I'm late?
If you're late, you'll find yourself sitting in the lobby watching the show on a screen. We can't let people in once the show has started until there's a natural break or intermission. Don't be late! Doors to the theatre open at 6:15pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.
Doug Tuck, your host for the evening
I really didn't want to be late and now I'm at the theatre an hour early. What do I do now?
You can come to a Preview Talk! Preview Talks begin at 6:30pm and are free for all ticket-holders. VO's Director of Marketing Doug Tuck gives the talks, which include background on the opera, interesting facts and all sorts of entertaining tidbits. The talks happen inside the theatre in the Mezzanine level. Just ask an usher to point you in the right direction.
Any other questions? Call our friendly Ticket Centre staff, or look for our Ambassadors at the theatre. Enjoy the show!
There are only 4 performances left - tonight at 7:30pm,, tomorrow night at 7:30pm, and Saturday 1:30pm and 7:30pm. (Psst - the best seats left are on the Saturday matinee!).
The VO Ticket Centre (604-683-0222) will be open late again tonight. It's busy over here, so if you have trouble getting through on the phones you can always order online or stop by. We're right on the corner of McLean Drive and 3rd Ave, one block east of Clark.
Without giving too much away for those who don't know the story: this scene takes place in Act 2, when the story begins to get a little darker. One character is intimidated and attacked by a group of others.
In the scene, it's obvious what's happening: the scene is physically intense, there is some removal of clothing (underwear is exposed, but no actual nudity) and the character is audibly and visibly upset. The scene is interrupted before things go too far.
Some children may just see it as bullying, but others may understand that something else is happening. Only parents can judge what's appropriate for their children. Some parents feel the scene drives home the point of the story (troubled youth, the escalation of violence, etc) and may be a good jumping-off point for discussion.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to give us a call at 604-682-2871.
West Side Story runs approximately 2 hours and 30 mins, including one intermission.
Downtown is going to be busy this week, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time to find parking! Latecomers won't be seated until an appropriate break in the show.
VO's West Side Story runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes. There will be one intermission. Latecomers won't be seated until intermission, so be sure to get there early, especially with all the hockey, soccer and football games and concerts happening downtown next week!
