Photo caption: An IA carpenter at work in a theatrical shop.

The first privately-built theatre in Canada in 90 years, the Princess of Wales, was constructed specifically for Miss Saigon, which opened there in May.

The producers of this show had a luxury not usually found in most theatrical productions: the theatre was designed to fit the requirements of the production.  For example, the stage had to be large, deep and high enough to accommodate the take-off and landing of a near-lifesize Huey helicopter, as well as to allow for the shifting of such scenery and props as a gigantic statue of Ho Chi Minh and a 1960’s era Cadillac convertible.  Advanced sales for the production topped $16 million.