From onstage to online
The Gaiety Theatre’s archive has been digitised for everyone to see.
The rich stage history has been put online thanks to the ‘ Back to the Gaiety’ Heritage Project and its partners.
To celebrate this milestone the heritage team held an evening at the theatre to launch the new digital archive which includes previously unseen archive content.
This was housed at Ayrshire Archives, as well as contributions from across the community, which have come in to the theatre since the project began in November 2016.
And some of archives include the original programme from the 1902 Opening Ceremony, a wide variety of programmes and posters dating from the 1930s to the present day and also Ben Popplewell’s own personal scrapbook.
Alice McFarlane, archivist and acting Heritage Coordinator, said they were delighted to launch the Gaiety digital archive.
“This is a valuable and unique resource for anyone interested in the history of the Gaiety, history of theatre in general, and the heritage of the wider Ayrshire community to which the Gaiety plays an important role,” he said.
The event took place in the Studio Theatre and there will be drinks along with entertainment and stories from the folk and jazz musician Alastair McDonald.
The heritage team will also be toasting the start of their ‘ Back To The Gaiety…… The Story So Far’ exhibition taking place at Rozelle House, Ayr which opened earlier this month and runs until until Sunday June 17, where visitors will be able to view original items from the Gaiety archive and from private collectors.
On display will be original costumes, costume illustrations, posters, programmes, autograph books and photographs to take you down memory lane.
The launch took place on Thursday, May 17, 7pm to 8.30pm. The event was free and tickets were booked at The Gaiety.