Nostalgia: Theatre change is sign of times

By DIANE KING
Published on 14/07/2012 12:55

IT was announced this week that councillors were set to approve plans to turn the former Theatre Workshop in Stockbridge into flats and a restaurant.

Having been earlier placed on an “at-risk” register, officials ruled there was “little chance of saving it” after campaigners failed to raise enough money to save the property.

But its rich and inspiring history lives on.

Among the many plays produced by the group was The Lightning Plebiscite, which was staged at Leith Theatre in May 1990, commemorating the loss of Leith’s boundary and independence when it amalgamated with Edinburgh in 1920.

A giant giraffe made for the Children’s Theatre Festival in 1975 proved popular.

Hidden inside the 15ft creation were two actors, who ended up taking it to Hamburg for an international event.

The workshop attracted star names, such as then television favourite Keith Chegwin, when he met some children in 1982 as his show Swap Shop was being filmed at Calton Hill.

More than 200 youngsters joined Keith for the broadcast, and they also performed a short play about Greyfriars Bobby.

Earlier, in 1968, a window display designed by the theatre workshop proved a draw for a fascinated toddler on Princes Street.