The Roxy theatre has long stood on Quadra Street a monument of the mid-20th century, its pale blue paint only marginally chipped and faded. After several years with an empty screen, and some years taken over by Blue Bridge Repertory Theatre, the Roxy has reestablished its origins with new owners: Golin Cinemas.
In May 2024, the theatre began screening newer blockbusters while balancing their schedule with independent arthouse films, curating enough range for its new audience.
Golin Cinemas director of operations Nathan Searer says the Roxy offers movie-goers a different experience to corporate chain cinemas. And they’ve most recently acquired an alcohol licence; drinks can be purchased during select showings.
“We’re trying to do something different at the Roxy than SilverCity,” says Searer. “We’re showing some films—Oscar films, stuff like that—but for the most part, we’re showing arthouse films, we’re looking at classics, things that you’re not going to see at the other local theatres. We’ve had French films recently; we’re going to be doing event nights.”
Unlike watching films at home, Searer says, the atmosphere of a theatre offers its audience an opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and tune into one collective experience.
“Movies are definitely a thing that’s more enjoyable when you have an audience. The laughs are stronger, you get scared easier. It’s a communal thing,” he says. “I know at home when I’m watching stuff on streaming, I’m on my phone the entire time. But when I go to a theatre, I’m actually paying attention to the movie and absorbing what’s happening.”
During a digital zeitgeist of on-demand movies at home, paying, too, for a movie ticket may, to some, feel expendable. However, Searer says, the theatre experience cannot be replicated at home; the theatre is an opportunity to break away from routine streaming.
“It’s definitely somewhere people can go have a night out, enjoy time with others,” says Searer. “Why do people go out and eat? They want to go have a fun time and enjoy something that they can’t do at home. Most people don’t have a large screen and a sound system that knocks your socks off… Just to experience something with the lights down and the magic of movies that you’re not going to get just at your home.”
For Searer, reviving the Roxy meant offering films that hadn’t yet had the opportunity to reach Victoria. Along with leaseholder Andrew Golin, he saw that the city’s cinema space had room for lesser-known films.
“Well, for us in the Victoria market… we definitely felt there was enough movies that weren’t getting played in that market that were important to play,” says Searer. “A lot of arthouse, foreign films, Canadian films, too, that just didn’t get a wide enough release to hit Victoria. We’re able to play those. We’re definitely a home for Bollywood and stuff now. And we can just know that we have a space for those.”
The Roxy’s historical significance is potent in the Quadra-Hillside neighbourhood, its marquee a reminder of lost years. To Searer, it was important to maintain the theatre’s particular charm, presenting an old generation to a new one.
“It definitely is iconic. It’s had a bunch of different lives throughout these years, and we definitely felt it was worth bringing it back and keeping that style there, too,” says Searer, “because I think a lot of people have come in, they’re still just finding out about us. They’re super happy and excited to have the Roxy back, and it brings them a lot of nostalgia to be back in that building.”