Raising the curtain on a whole new act for Fair City’s theatre

After four years of work, the public will get to see its new look

Every city has a building that has a special place in the hearts of local residents – and for the people of Perth, it is the theatre that exerts that emotional pull.

For generations the Edwardian gem on the High Street has fuelled the imaginations of theatre-goers and has long been credited with punching well above its weight in terms of its contribution to Scottish theatre.

Today is a milestone in its history, the day the people of Perth have been waiting for, with the public getting its first glimpse of the £16.6 million reinvention of their much-loved theatre.

After four years closed, the box office, restaurant and new entrance on Mill Street open for public scrutiny, with the eagerly-anticipated first home production – the pantomime Aladdin – taking to the stage next month.

At the centre of the project, the historic theatre auditorium remains as it always was, but refurbished to the highest of standards.

Theatre-goers take great pride in the many actors who have performed on the Perth stage over the years, from a young Alec Guinness and Donald Pleasance, with many household names and television regulars having learned their craft here.

Most locals will have their own memories of theatre productions past and I have a personal link to Perth.

My mother and her sister worked as stage managers in the 1940s and ’50s and an uncle started his acting career there, so as a family we have been drawn back again and again to revel in the singular pleasure of live performance.

With a little luck and the enduring magic the atmospheric theatre enjoys, I am sure Perth can look forward to another century cultivating young talent – while showcasing the theatrical experience at its best.

Get in touch with your local office at Perth or send a letter to The Courier at

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Perth Theatre’s auditorium and stage are ready for its big reopening.