Vertigo Studio Theatre

I love going to the theater and Vertigo did a great job impressing me!
As we do so many cultural performances in a year, our seats tend to be faaaaaarrrrr in the back with a view of everything… the stage, the curtains, the side walls, all the seats in front of us… Normally that is fine with me. But think Vertigo Theater has ruin the back row for me. The theater only has 16 rows and is small enough that you can see the details on stage even from row 15. It is a well laid out and don’t think there is a seat with a blocked view.
This was the first time we had been to Vertigo Theater for one of their Mystery Series performances and saw «Sherlock Holmes and the Jersey Lily». I cant speak to the rest of the performances in the series this season, but this one was fantastic. Well acted and smooth set changes. The small cast did a great job of character development as well as owning the stage.
On the first Sunday of every performance they have a discounted performance with festival seating — or «first come first seated» — for only $ 20. What a deal!
Will definitely try and get to all the performances they have in their next season.

Good theatre, fun plays! The concession service is a bit random but that’s not central in importance.

I came here to see Agatha Christie’s «Mousetrap» :-). I really enjoy Agatha Christie and the performance reminded me as to why :-) The theatre itself is in Calgary Tower (my only complaint is finding parking in the tower parkarde), however, having said this, the theatre is very cozy and there isn’t NOT a good seat in the house. It is well organized so no matter where you are sitting, you have a great view. If you can go to see a performance here, do so… it IS worth it :-)

My wife and I went to Vertigo for the first time the other night for the kick-​off to the season. My dad’s law firm sponsors the event so we were treated to a nice evening at no cost due to my parents being unable to attend.
Upon arriving they had a short reception with drinks and appetizers on the house. Then it was into the theatre for the fist half of the show. We saw «I’ll Be Back Before Midnight». It was a good show for having only a 4 person cast with a scene that doesn’t change for the entire performance.
At intermission there were more drinks and Hagendaz ice cream bars to enjoy.
The negative of the evening for me was my seat (Row L Seat 11). The chair was so uncomfortable I wanted to leave part of the way through the first half. After the intermission my wife and I switched seats just to make sure it wasn’t me. There’s something going on with that seat.

finally went for a show here over the weekend… here is the lowdown:
1. we got last minute $ 25 seats in the middle of the back row, pretty awesome.
2. Acoustics were great!
3. they let you pre-​order drinks for intermission but don’t give you enough time to finish them! (- 1 star /​/​yes, it was really not ideal)
4. super central location — easy to access by train
5. easy for a date night with many solid restaurants around
As for the play, while it was interesting, it moved super slowly and there was no clever twist which I was hoping for… this is a personal preference. Each to their own.
worth more visits, regardless!

It’s a charming theatre, I’ve only been there for 2 shows but they both have been great. Calgary has a great live theatre community. You can purchase tickets online or at the box office. Parking is available on the street or at the Palliser Parkade.

I am a season ticket holder of 6 years and haven’t regretted a season yet. My friend and I signed up 6 years ago as something to do together on Sunday afternoons. After 4 years a friend joined and we have been a happy little trio since. At first we missed Mark Bellamy but the new artistic director (sorry his name escapes me) has definitely picked up the mantle and carried forth! Each production has been impressive from the acting, stage and sets, costumes and story. We love that there is a traditional mystery such as Christie or Hitchcock as well as some unique stories (Edwin Drood) as NOIR! Excellent value for your dollar and this year we got an additional play (Antoine Feval) and will be seeking out the performer at this years Fringe Festival.
Highly recommend this theatre and seasons tickets, do it you won’t regret it!
I should add that my friends in other cities are often saying they wish they had a mystery theatre. We are fortunate enough to have this great theatre, give it a try and support it.

I’m so glad I chose this year to become a season ticket holder to Vertigo Theatre’s BD& P Mystery Theatre Series.
So far we have enjoyed two of the three performances this year (we forgot about the first one!) and they have been outstanding!
Last night we took in The Huron Bride performance and let me tell you I was scared out of my wits. Not only was the set hauntingly creepy, with the upside down tree background, creaking water wheel and flying axe… but the sound and especially lighting combined to make one spine chilling performance. The actors? Oh yeah they were there too. I thought each character was strong and believable and the story they told was pretty amazing too. I even got chills down my spine a couple of times. The woman behind my husband screamed and then he jumped. It was that good.
If you like live theatre at all you should take in this play. It’s playing until Feb. 23.

I went to my first Mystery Theatre tonight — overall it was an enjoyable evening. It’s a smaller theatre — be prepared to pack in like sardines — but has great atmosphere. We saw «Panic,» and I really enjoyed the acting with a great local actor playing the leading role. Good central location with tons of parking and restaurants nearby.

THE 2011 – 2012 SEASON IS MARK BELLAMY’S LAST YEAR AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR! Make sure you go!
You might be shocked to read this but … Calgary has a vibrant and thick-​with-​talent threatre and arts scene. Oh sure, everyone thinks only the Big Three cities in Canada (MTL, TO, and VAN-​C) have a right to say that, but our great little city is just humming with fresh cultural events and venues.
Among these, at the top of my list, is Vertigo Theatre. The talented and passionate staff of directors, actors, sound and lighting crews, and an army of volunteers brings a fabulous array of murder mystery plays to life each season. Yes … * murder mystery *. They are the only one of their kind in Canada — Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, Poe, and a variety of Canadian playwrights who specialize in the genre have their very own home at the base of the Calgary Tower. (They even have a blood room!)
When the murder mystery plays are not playing, Vertigo plays host to Y-​Stage, which is theatre for children. While I do not have kids to bring here, I did come to see «Snowflake» … a wonderful and heart-​tugging show about a homeless man and how he passes the time in his little alley. A one-​man show that will entertain the kids, and make the adults get all sniffly — when it comes back, be sure to go!
So I’ve told you how incredible Vertigo is, and how lucky we are to have it in our city … now I will let the ladies know that your men will actually love going too. Yes that’s right: you can tell your man you’re taking him to the theatre, and he will actually enjoy himself. I’m adding this because the majority of guys’ guys I tell about Vertigo are rather gunshy about anything cultural (they think it’s all 3-​hours of ballet I guess). You’ll be safe here, boys … :o)

While I’ve never caught a mystery play here yet, I’ve caught a couple of Ground Zero Theatre plays here, mainly Kung Fu Panties and A Behanding in Spokane.
There are actually two theatres in this venue (The Playhouse and The Studio), and the two Ground Zero Theatre productions I’ve seen have taken place in The Studio.
The Studio is general admission and very intimate. I would guestimate it seats around 150 – 200 people, and sometimes the performers will use the entire space. For example, during one scene in Behanding, an actor delivered his lines while walking through the audience.
Ground Zero Theatre productions are known for their «firsts.» Essentially what that means is that for at least one member of the cast or crew, it’s their «first» time doing something. For example, in Behanding, it was one of the actor’s first performances ever coming out of Theatre School.
I love this venue and hope to catch a Mystery Theatre play here one day. Quality productions perform in this space, so if you ever get a chance to check something out here, I’m sure you’ll have a grand old time.
¹⁷⁄₃₀

I’ve never been to a bad play here. Not yet, anyway, and I don’t expect to.
Their location is terrific (right below the Calgary Tower) and their selection of plays always mixes some better known plays with a healthy dose of originals. Actually, the original plays debuting there are worth seeing. Last season, they were fantastic. Even the smaller theatre offers a great venue, usually filling up quick.
Students can get in at the last minute by going to the box office shortly after it opens and purchasing super-​cheap tickets to either show. I think they go for something like $ 10 — which makes it cheaper than a movie in some places. Plus, it does the soul good to see live theatre in the city…