Historic Scots theatres to share £3.5m revamp fund

THREE of Scotland’s most historic performing arts venues are to share more than £3.5 million in funding to get long-awaited refurbishments off the ground.
An artist's impression of what Perth Theatre will look like after the refurbishment. Picture: ContributedAn artist's impression of what Perth Theatre will look like after the refurbishment. Picture: Contributed
An artist's impression of what Perth Theatre will look like after the refurbishment. Picture: Contributed

Overhauls of Perth Theatre, which dates back to 1901, Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre, which opened the following year, and Dunoon’s 1874 Burgh Hall are all expected to get underway over the next year after final revamp plans were backed by Creative Scotland.

The national arts funding body has confirmed the major grants just weeks after approving backing for a restoration of Campbeltown’s historic cinema and a childhood home of Peter Pan creator JM Barrie in Dumfries.

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The Perth Theatre project, which is by far the biggest of the three, will see the restoration of its B-listed auditorium and the creation of a modern extension featuring a brand new studio theatre and education spaces.

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The revamp, which Creative Scotland will be ploughing £2 million into, has already been backed by Perth and Kinross Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, with the venue closing for three years to allow the work to be carried out from the second half of next year.

Colin McMahon, chief executive at Horsecross Arts, which runs both the theatre and Perth Concert Hall, said: “To date, in partnership with Perth & Kinross Council we have achieved generous pledges of £13.5m.

“But to ensure the theatre is fully equipped with the facilities and furnishings our audiences and artists deserve we are working to achieve a further fundraising target of £1.5m from trusts, foundations, corporate sponsors and individual giving.”

Council leader Ian Miller said: “We are fully supportive of the theatre’s redevelopment and I’m excited by the opportunity to build on Perth’s reputation for arts and theatre. I’m sure the theatre’s many supporters will help to contribute to the £1.5 million fundraising target for this fantastic project.”

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Ayr Gaiety, which was rescued from closure almost two years ago, has had a grant of £1.1 million confirmed for a long-term restoration, which is now due to get underway within months.

The successful grant has emerged less than a week after the charitable trust which runs the theatre - controversially closed down by South Ayrshire Council in 2009 - secured a long-term funding deal with Creative Scotland, worth £225,000 over the next three years.

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Jeremy Wyatt, the Gaiety’s executive director, said Creative Scotland’s backing for the capital works was “essential” to the venue’s future.

He added: “It will enable us to address urgent heating and ventilation problems, restore the main auditorium and invest in modern stage equipment. It will also allow us to improve the whole audience and performer experience.

“Most importantly, it will mean we can continue to act as a focus for developing all aspects of the performing arts in Ayrshire.”

Dunoon Burgh Hall, which is widely regarded as the Argyll town’s most important public building, lay neglected and unused for more than 20 years until it was reopened in 2005.

Patrons of the venue, which Creative Scotland has allocated £465,000 to, include architect John McAslan and the former NATO secretary general Lord Robertson, both of whom were brought up in Dunoon. Work on a £1.65 million overhaul is also expected to get underway within months.

Mr McAslan, chair of the Dunoon Burgh Hall Trust, said: “This is a clear demonstration of the support we have from Creative Scotland and it puts us on schedule to begin works in early 2015 with completion the following year.”

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Janet Archer, Creative Scotland’s chief executive, said: “The cultural infrastructure of Scotland will be boosted by these important and ambitious projects, which have been a number of years in the planning.

“These new developments will transform these three venues to create improved spaces and enable artists and creative people to inspire audiences across Scotland through an exciting mix of creative experiences, stimulating social, cultural and economic regeneration in each location.”

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