The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) gave its backing to Scotland’s vibrant arts and cultural sector by announcing a grant of £1/2 million to help secure the future of Perth Theatre, one of Scotland’s oldest theatres.

Perth theatre is where Ewan McGregor and Donald Sutherland learned their craft. HLF also awarded first-round passes amounting to over £3million for the restoration of the Kings Theatre in Glasgow, the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh and Campbeltown’s Art Nouveau Picture House.

Perth Theatre opened in 1900, its hidden doorway leading to an elaborate 800-seater auditorium which, designed by William Alexander, astounded audiences of the time. In 1935 it became home to Scotland’s first repertory theatre company, one of the few that remains today with its own craft workshop, paint shop and wardrobe facility enabling them to produce their own work. Last season, around 60,000 people attended the theatre’s award-winning drama and cultural programme. However, the historic fabric of the building is now in urgent need of restoration and repair.

As part of a wider redevelopment of Perth Theatre, funding from HLF will help see the auditorium restored to its former glory. The upper circle, which has been out of commission since the 1960’s will be reinstated as will the orchestra pit. The theatre’s impressive archive and collection of artefacts, materials, pictures, literature, scripts and costumes dating as far back as the mid 19th Century will also be conserved as part of the project and made publicly accessible for the first time.

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An extensive schools programme, aimed at both primary and secondary, will be run as part of the project giving children the opportunity to learn about the history of Scottish theatre while older members of the community will be involved in reminiscence groups focussing on its social history. On-site conservation skills training will also take place during the restoration process and opportunities will be made available to volunteer as guides.

Ewan McGregor heralded the redevelopment of the Theatre: “To be a part of a collective, creative endeavour at the heart of a working theatre is an unforgettable experience. This exciting venture is an investment in our future – creating new space and facilities for young people, returning the historic Edwardian auditorium to its original splendour, creating a new, modern, small scale performance space for a wider range of arts activity, providing education, workshop and rehearsal space for schools and community groups - all adding up to more opportunities for more people to get involved and become part of a living, working theatre. That is why I am excited to be involved in this next stage of Perth Theatre’s development.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, commented: “Cultural venues have a hugely important part to play in the life of our urban and rural communities. They are held dear in our hearts as they are interwoven with the history and cultural traditions of our particular place and provide our towns with their own sense of identity.”

Jane Spiers, Chief Executive of Horsecross, added: “We are absolutely thrilled that the HLF has recognised the huge value of this project to Perth and committed their maximum award of £500,000 to Perth Theatre. This adds to the £6m already committed by Perth & Kinross Council and The Gannochy Trust, taking us over half way towards our target.

"Perth Theatre has been at the heart of life in Perth for over 100 years and our ambitious plans to develop a venue that can continue to take centre stage in the community, both culturally and economically, for now and far into the future have taken a big step forward with this award.”

(GK/KMcA)