theatre

[ANNE V. GILBERT]

Larry:

> Nobody's mentioned the fact that there's a related "pretentious" or
> upscale use of CENTRE in the U.S. (as opposed to Britain and Canada
> where it is of course the standard spellling).  I've come across
> various uses of this for city or shopping "centres", probably in some
> trendy suburban setting, although I can't think of where at the
> moment.  Can anyone?

I've seen the recent appearance of these shopping "centres" right here in
little ol' Rain City, otherwise known as Seattle.  Yeah, I think they're
kind of "pretentious" too.  But "theatre"(for the generalized venue of plays
performed in a "theater",)has been around for a long time.  I always thought
"the theatre" meant anything conected with the performance of plays, whereas
a "theater" was the structure in which plays are performed.  Apparently,
little did I know.
Anne Gilbert