Wales Theatre

The Wales Theatre is a historic movie theatre in High River, Alberta, Canada. It was built in 1927 under the name Highwood Theatre, designed to host both live theatre and motion pictures. At the time of its opening it was considered one of the most luxurious and best-equipped theatres in the province, featuring upholstered chesterfield chairs imported from England, chromium and plate glass tiles in the foyer, an ornate ceiling, air conditioning, and hardwood floors. In 1935 the name was changed to Wales to honour Edward, Prince of Wales, who had homesteaded at nearby Longview. The theatre has survived the major transitions of the cinema industry, from primitive 'storeroom theatres' and early films through silent movies, talkies, technicolor, cinemascope, and wide screens. Today it operates as a single-screen cinema with a Dolby surround sound system and one of the last free-standing balconies in Canada. The building has been completely renovated and updated with modern amenities while retaining its historic character. The Wales Theatre is owned and operated by the Kidwai family of High River. It positions itself as an affordable, distinctive alternative to cookie-cutter multiplexes, with the tagline 'Step back into affordable entertaining history.' The theatre shows first-run films, offers 3D and 2D screenings, and reserves Sunday and Monday nights for 2D shows for patrons who have difficulty with 3D technology. Showtimes are daily at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees at 2:00pm, and doors open half an hour before showtime. Gift certificates are available at the Wales and at the Folksown Bistro. The theatre has weathered significant local challenges, including the floods of 2012 and 2013, which it documented on its website. It remains a community landmark and a rare surviving example of early 20th-century cinema architecture in Alberta.

The Wales Theatre was built in 1927 in High River, Alberta, under the name Highwood Theatre. It was designed to accommodate both live theatre and movies, a common dual-purpose format in the early 20th century. The building was outfitted with upholstered chesterfield chairs imported from England, chromium and plate glass tiles in the foyer, an ornate ceiling, air conditioning, and hardwood floors, making it one of the most luxurious and best-equipped theatres in the province at that time. In 1935, the theatre was renamed Wales to honour Edward, Prince of Wales, who had homesteaded at nearby Longview. The name change reflected both a royal connection and a desire to establish a distinct local identity. Over the following decades, the Wales Theatre adapted to the major technological and commercial shifts in the film industry. It progressed from primitive 'storeroom theatres' and early films through silent movies, the arrival of talkies, technicolor, cinemascope, and wide screens. This adaptability allowed it to remain in operation while many small-town cinemas closed. By the 21st century, the Wales Theatre had been completely renovated and accented with modern amenities, including a Dolby surround sound system. It retains one of the last free-standing balconies in Canada, a rare architectural feature. The theatre is owned and operated by the Kidwai family of High River, who emphasize its affordable pricing and distinctive character compared to modern multiplexes. The theatre has also faced natural disasters. It documented its experience during the floods of 2012 and 2013 on its website, with posts about how the Wales fared after the 'mother of all floods' in 2013. Despite these challenges, the theatre remains active, showing first-run films and offering both 3D and 2D screenings, with Sunday and Monday nights reserved for 2D shows.

• 2013

  Flood of 2013 ('mother of all floods') affects the theatre; posts document how it fared.

• 2012

  Flood of 2012 affects the theatre; documented on its website.

• 1935

  Theatre renamed Wales to honour Edward, Prince of Wales, who homesteaded at nearby Longview.

• 1927

  Highwood Theatre built in High River, Alberta, to accommodate live theatre and movies.

Affordable, historic, family-run cinema offering a distinctive alternative to cookie-cutter multiplexes.

• First-run film screenings

• 3D and 2D film presentations

• Sunday matinees

• Gift certificates

1. 1Wales Movie Theatre your family cinema in High Riverwalestheatre.com
2. 2History of the Wales Theatrewalestheatre.com
3. 3Wales Theatre - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4History of the Wales Theatrewalestheatre.com