New-look Perth Theatre revamp back on track

THE steel skeleton of the new-look Perth Theatre has been swung into place, as the venue’s £16 million revamp reaches a milestone.

Construction crews are on target to complete the highly-anticipated transformation by the end of the year.

Work at the High Street venue has resumed after the festive break.

The old auditorium is being restored to its former glory, while a modern new facade is being built on Mill Street. A 200-capacity studio theatre is also being created.

Plaster-work in the Edwardian auditorium has been completed, and painters have moved in to start work.

New systems for heating, lighting and power are being installed, and work has started on refurbishing the fly tower (the upper part of the stage where scenery etc can be suspended).

The concrete framework of the newbuild is almost complete, with the final pouring to take place early next month.

A spokeswoman said work on internal partitions is under way, and it is hoped the new area will be wind and watertight by early March.

Decorations and electrical installations have also started at the back of the house.

Work has also begun on the next phase of Perth’s £1 million cultural quarter, behind the venue.

Stage two of the work involves further improvements to Mill Street, Skinnergate and the Guard Vennel.

Meanwhile, new artistic director Lu Kemp will discuss the latest theatre programme at the next Talk To Us session at Perth Concert Hall on Monday February 6.

Bucklemarker and Butterburn Court, which were both demolished in 2013.