Reviving theatre ‘would change city kids’ lives’

A FORMER lord provost believes restoring an iconic theatre can change the lives of Dundee kids.

Bob Duncan thinks scores of city youngsters can benefit from an injection of culture if the former King’s Theatre is brought back into use.

Mr Duncan, who retired last year, is a member of the King’s Theatre Trust, which wants to rejuvenate the oncebustling playhouse in the Cowgate.

Mr Duncan was speaking at an open event where Dundonians had the chance to give their thoughts on what should be done with the crumbling building.

He said: “Dundee’s got the V&A coming which is absolutely fantastic. Mr Duncan at the open event. But when you go to see a major tourist attraction you want to go somewhere at night, but at the moment we’re only building expensive, posh restaurants.

“We should be looking at other places to go in the evening. We’ve got a fantastic transport museum, the Verdant Works, the McManus, but all these places are shut by six o’clock.

“The King’s is designed as a venue that can give Dundee the full dimension as a cultural city.

“The Whitehall is doing fantastic but it’s very limited in what it can do.

“We do not give kids in Dundee the chance to change their lives now, and if you take them to the panto and other productions you can see how they react.

“We don’t offer anything like the productions you see in Glasgow or Edinburgh. I think we can do a lot more.”

A public consultation is under way to gauge what people would like see done with the building.

In its heyday, the King’s Theatre played host to the likes of Cliff Richard and The Shadows and Sir Harry Lauder.

Initial plans would see the derelict theatre transformed into a community-owned venue capable of hosting large performance shows and community activities.

After closing as a cinema in 1982, it was discovered in the 1990s that enough of the original structure, including the ceiling, remained intact and the theatre could be restored.

Mr Duncan added: “You just have to look in Glasgow at the theatres there and the shops and restaurants of all price ranges are used regularly.

“That area where the Wellgate is just now is falling down around us.

“Bringing the King’s back into use would quickly make that area of the town a much better place. I am quite excited about the project. I’ve been involved with shows for many years and I can see the potential.

“It might not open up again in my lifetime, but we need to do something to get it back up and running again.”

The magnificent auditorium of the King’s Theatre in its heyday.