Learn About Kent Theatre

Originally opened in 1934 as the Empire Theatre, the building formed part of Saint John’s mid-20th century entertainment landscape, serving as a local cinema and gathering place.

In the late 1950s, it became part of the Odeon theatre chain and was renamed the Kent Odeon, reflecting broader changes in the Canadian film exhibition industry.

The theatre closed in the late 1970s, after which the space underwent a series of adaptations. Today, it functions as a multi-purpose venue, retaining elements of its historical identity while accommodating contemporary events.

Located at 24 Coburg Street in Uptown Saint John, the Kent Odeon Theatre opened in 1952 as a modern cinema of its time. Contemporary accounts described it as “one of the finest theatres in Eastern Canada.”

More than a place to watch films, it served as a social and cultural destination, offering audiences a full evening experience — from music and atmosphere to the anticipation of the curtain rising.

The opening feature was *High Noon*, a film that reflected themes of time and resilience — qualities that, in many ways, echo the building’s own history.

Over the decades, the space has adapted to changing times, evolving from a cinema into the versatile venue it is today.