10 Reasons to Go to The Regent 🎥

We know you’ve got a million options for entertainment at your fingertips, but it’s totally worth leaving the house for The Regent Theatre.

A historic gem in the heart of Picton, The Regent Theatre stands at the intersection of Main and Ross Streets. First opened as a vaudeville house in 1918, the building has seen a century come and go with all its many changes, and has experienced more than its own share of ups and downs. There’s even this great little TVO short film about the rise, fall and triumphant return of the theatre. One hundred years on, The Regent is a true local treasure and part of our proud heritage.

The Regent has vintage charm in abundance. While the building has been renovated in recent years with a number of modern updates, many charming architectural features remain, including the main entrance’s chandelier, frieze of frolicking cherubs and distinctly old-timey ticket booth. The bright jewel in Picton’s crown is the theatre’s stunning neon marquee.

Dinner and a movie make a classic date night that will never go out of style. Pair your entertainment with any number of superb restaurants within a five-minute walk: Stella’s Eatery, Merrill House, Hartleys Tavern, The County Canteen, or The Marans Dine Bar. 

The Regent is way more than movies! With 446 seats, a generous stage, full dressing rooms and more, it’s the perfect venue for touring musicians and gets some impressive acts coming through. It’s also been home to countless professional and community theatre productions, as well as hosting festivals like Comedy Country and The Prince Edward County Jazz Festival.

Going to The Regent has been a family tradition for generations, and one that continues to this day. On the last Sunday of every month Whattam’s Funeral Home presents a free family movie at 2:00 pm. Combine your movie with a casual lunch at The Vic Café, Miss Lily’s or The Bean Counter, and you have the makings of the perfect family outing that won’t break the bank.

Looking for something outside the mainstream? Cinefest Picton is a part of the Film Circuit, a project of the Toronto International Film Festival. Cinefest offers arthouse and hard-to-come-by films on alternate Mondays at 7:30 pm to a crowd of enthusiastic film-lovers.

You’ll always have the best seat in the house when the Regent presents live performances on the big screen from around the world! Metropolitan Opera Live via Satellite is a series of live opera performances transmitted in high-definition video via satellite from the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. You can also catch world-class plays with big name talent during broadcasts from The National Theatre in London, England.

Need to cool off on a hot summer night? Enjoy an ice cream at nearby Slickers and then spend a few hours cooling down in the Regent’s air conditioning while taking in some entertainment. It’s also a great option for rainy days that you’d planned to spend at the beach.

The price is right! Regular films at the Regent cost several dollars less than larger commercial cinemas, so you can afford to treat a friend to a movie, or treat yourself to that extra-large popcorn! Plus you know that when you support The Regent Theatre, you are contributing to the ongoing success of an independent cinema.

Stepping into the Regent Theatre gives you a glimpse into what the power of community can do. Now owned by the Regent Theatre Foundation, there is a tremendous amount of volunteer power that keeps this beautiful theatre running, in addition to receiving community support through memberships and sponsorships. It’s clear that local residents love their “Monarch of Main Street” and that this beloved building will be the hub for entertainment in Picton for many years to come.

Written by: Krista Dalby [May 3, 2019]

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