£3m revamp of town’s theatre to be finished in time for 2022 panto

A PLANNED £3 million revamp of Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre should be completed within two years.

Fife Cultural Trust (FCT), which manages the venue for Fife Council, says work to refurbish and repurpose the auditorium, cafe/public space and Beveridge Suite is expected to finish in time for the 2022 pantomime.

A pause in construction has also been pencilled in for November 2021 to January 2022 to allow for next year’s festive show after the 2020 programme was wrecked due to Covid-19 rules.

A business case has been drawn up highlighting the aim of turning the theatre into a “vibrant cultural and community hub”.

Bosses want to create a “first class centre for Fife festivals” which draw more than 200,000 visitors to the Lang Toun each year.

Councillor Neil Crooks, Kirkcaldy area committee convener, said: “Fife has a wealth of creative talent . It is important we nurture that talent and help it grow.

“Having a state-of-theart facility will help us keep that talent in Fife and attract more from across Scotland so that the whole of the region can benefit.”

In a project update, the trust said phase one will focus on the auditorium, with new seating and removable seating sections, a new sound system and carpets and a paint job all to be done by summer 2021.

Phase two will see the cafe area redeveloped to incorporate venue space and a creative hub.

This phase also includes an upgrade of the Beveridge Suite and lower hall and improving access.

It was first thought FCT would move its staff from Iona House to the Beveridge Suite, but that seems to have been shelved.

Instead, FCT aims to maximise the suite as a large multi-functional space for performances and events, with plans to also create a mobile bar space, self-contained toilets and a catering kitchen. New mobile staging and track curtains will also ensure that the suite can be versatile.

A contractor is due to be appointed in the spring.

Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Theatre.