Opera house finds

“The picture of the leaflet (left) for the Victoria Theatre was found when we were exploring the Dunfermline Opera House in 1982,” says William Gourlay.

“We received the keys from the developer, Crudens, after we contacted them about photographing the interior before they demolished the theatre. We were planning to make a film about the Opera House as it had rich theatrical history and we felt it should be recorded before demolition. The Scottish Arts Council had decided that the interior should be saved and stored for use elsewhere. Luckily most of the plasterwork had been screwed to the walls, which meant that around 60% was reusable in another theatre shell – with the result that Dunfermline’s loss was the Asolo Theatre’s gain, fully restored to its former glory in Sarasota.

“The Victoria Theatre leaflet was stored in the attic of the Opera House along with lots of odds and ends, mostly rubbish. We were really hoping to find more Opera House-related material, but it wasn’t to be. I take it the building has now been sadly demolished? Various aspects within the leaflet showed what was on at that time along with the various pubs, hotels, local businesses at the time.

“I was interested to see Gronbach Pork Butcher advertising – is this related to Gronbach the Butcher in Cowdenbeath, I wonder?”

If you can help with this query or have any more information or pictures of the Opera House, do let us know.