The Malkin Bowl was built in 1934 to replace a more traditional bandstand which had stood at the same location since 1911.[6] The Bowl was designed as a two-thirds-size replica of the Hollywood Bowl. Allard de Ridder, then conductor of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, was largely responsible, along with John Vanderpant,[7] for convincing W.H. Malkin, a former mayor of Vancouver, to build the theatre as a summer concert venue for the orchestra.[8][9] Malkin endowed the theatre in memory of his wife, Marion.[10]
In spite of the lack of backstage space, in 1940 Theatre Under the Stars began staging operettas and musicals at the Malkin Bowl.[11] In 1950, six productions were held during the summer season.[12]
A live variety show, hosted by Norman Campbell and broadcast on CBC Radio, was also performed at the Bowl during the late 1940s and early 1950s.[11]
