Factory Theatre is a theatre in Toronto, Ontario, founded as Factory Theatre Lab in 1970 by Ken Gass and Frank Trotz.
Factory was the first theatre to announce that it would exclusively produce Canadian plays, but it soon became a widely emulated policy by other theatre companies. Factory quickly became known as the home of the Canadian playwright, and is especially associated with George F. Walker, most of whose plays premiered there.
In 1977, Ken Gass's own play, Winter Offensive aroused widespread protest because of what was regarded as its gratuitous depiction of sex and violence amongst the upper echelons of the Nazi party. Exhausted by the controversy and frustrated by what he saw as the excessive conservatism and philistinism of the community, Ken Gass resigned. Dian English took over the role of Managing Director of the Factory (1977-1995) and moved the theatre to its current location in the historic building at the corner of Bathurst and Adelaide. Gass was succeeded as Artistic Director of Factory by Bob White (1977–87), then Jackie Maxwell (1987–95). During much of this time George F. Walker came on as the in-house writer with plays such as The Art of War, Criminals in Love, Love & Anger, Escape From Happiness and Nothing Sacred. Other notable works included Crossing Over by Neil Munro (actor), The Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway, Rick Mercer's one man show, Robert Lepage's The Dragon's Trilogy and the The Kids in the Hall. English left in 1995 and Michael Springate came on as Artistic Director for one season, 1995-96. At this point, the theatre experienced a financial downturn and it was widely feared that the company might close for good. However, Ken Gass returned in 1996 to resume the Artistic Directorship with the intention of putting the theatre back on its feet. His decision to perform all six of the plays in George F. Walker's Suburban Motel as a full season brought the theatre a remarkably swift return to popularity, relevance and financial prosperity. In 1999, the company was able to buy the Bathurst Street building in which it had been housed for past two decades, and it continues to be make a vital contribution to Canadian theatre.
Read more about Factory Theatre: Building History
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