Factory Theatre

A pretty unique space, which hosts predominately alternative, and less mainstream theatre. It’s in a heritage building with a newer extension in the front. The décor is fairly plain, and mostly utilitarian bare bones.
The theatre area is fairly intimate, and seats (as a guess) about 150 – 200 people. Pretty good acoustics. It’s nice that there’s a space available for diverse theatre and upstarts as well. Last night, I was able to see «One Night Only», which was a riot — and that is largely possible to being able to hold it here.
The lineup for the bar at intermission was a gong-​show being one of the slowest moving I’ve ever witnessed. Understandably, with it being an independent theatre requiring all streams of revenue as much as possible, they kept the intermission going as long as people were waiting for drinks. It meant the intermission going about as long as each act (½ hour). They need to find a way to move things more quickly.
It was also WAY too hot in the theatre area and I know others were uncomfortable too. I know it’s above seasonal for February, but I can’t imagine what this place would be like in the summer. Hopefully someone just set the heat too high.
Still, there were positives, and they deserve credit for being an integral part of the city’s theatre scene by hosting diverse and mostly locally-​based shows.

I saw my friend’s play in this theatre a few months ago and loved the whole experience. The courtyard pre and post show has a definite party vibe (just ignore the yelling staff/​herders and pretend it’s all «a flow»), and the theatre is big enough to feel like a real experience without isolating you from the performance, which was perfectly timed, funny, thoughtful, moving — all the things you go to plays for.
Factory’s the kind of venue that makes theatre look so fun you can’t wait to fill your home with arm flails and zebra print blazers. Maybe some bangles. Clothes pins held in your lips for the rush alteration. A small plastic coffee cup and a shot of whiskey. Perhaps a crimping iron. What is happiness?

Great venue for theatre, we managed to catch a few shows here for Summerworks Performance festival. All amazing, the garden patio out back is perfect, we even got to enjoy one show on stage.
Highly recommended, check out their listings and save some money by checking out some more local and independent theatre.

I really like modern and experimental Theater, but as someone who doesn’t live in Toronto or know the companies I find the scene a bit daunting. This was my first experience with theater in Toronto and it was entirely positive. We came here to see Sia, which was on the second stage. Tickets were only $ 13 on ToTix (half price), and it had gotten good reviews so we thought we’d give it a try. On a Saturday night we got to the theater maybe 35 minutes before the show was supposed to start, and there was literally only 1 couple there already. By the time the show started there were probably 20 people in a space that fits maybe 10 times as many. It is too bad that there weren’t more people because they missed a great show. Sia was well written, well acted, and nicely staged. The show was thought provoking and edgy, and I have nothing but great things to say about the experience.

Saw a play here last week for Summerworks. The play itself was awesome, but that doesn’t really matter for this review. The space is nice, good acoustics and friendly staff. Washrooms are good, lots of stalls and clean. I love that they are so supportive of various festivals, local artists and Canadian content.

It’s hard enough to find theatres that are willing to put on untried and new theatre. It’s harder still to find theatres that are willing to put on Canadian pieces on for their audiences. Trying to find a theatre that is willing do both can be next to impossible. Well, step forward Factory Theatre. Thank you for taking the reins and giving us a venue that is willing to give us all new vibrant Canadian theatre.
Factory Theatre is a very rustic and older venue that shows its age a little bit. A smaller theatre that seats only 200 to 300 people, the auditorium seating is definitely a bit more aged than found in some newly renovated theatres. But I think this adds to its charm. You get the feeling as soon as you sit in your chair that you’re about to see something truly new and innovative that hasn’t been put on before. This venue, because of its charm, is also one of the great places to see a show in Toronto when the Fringe Festival is on.
This is not to say that all the work that is going to go on the stage at Factory is going to be stunning. In some cases it can be hard to get through. But most the time you get the feeling that you have just seen something not only fresh but really innovating and thought provoking. It’s a privilege to have Factory Theatre in the city for that reason.