Perth Theatre & Opera House

• Theatre ID
  2361
• Built / Converted
  1900
• Dates of use
  • 1900: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  Theatre
• Address
  High Street, Perth, Perthshire, PH1 5UX, Scotland

Details

A discreet entrance arch with glazed canopy set into four storey ashlar tenement block leads to a spacious conservatory-style inner foyer with a glazed ceiling in the back court. The brick-clad auditorium and stage block to the rear contains a delightfully intimate auditorium of two tiers and about 800 seats (including the disused top balcony). Noteworthy Rococo plaster ornamentation - the first balcony is decorated with foliated scrolls and consoles and the upper balcony has delicately modelled festoons. The slips of both tiers curve round to meet slim stacks of superimposed boxes, framed by pilaster with enriched shafts. The ceiling is a plain saucer dome, reputedly a simple replacement for the fire-damaged original and dating from repairs in 1924. The auditorium has been narrowed at circle level by the insertion of side fire escape routes. Housing a well-established and successful repertory company, and hosting touring productions, the theatre is bustling with activity. It is well cared for and a joy to visit.

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• Other names
  Royal Theatre
• Events
  • 1900 Use: continuing
  • 1900 Design/Construction:
    • William Alexander - Architect
  • 1900 Owner/Management: John H Savile for the Perth Theatre Co
  • 1920 Owner/Management: John H Savile, sole owner
  • 1924 Alteration: renovated following fire damage
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1935 Owner/Management: Marjorie Dence (Perth Repertory Theatre Co)
  • 1966 Owner/Management: Perth Town Council
  • 1981 Alteration: new restaurant facilities and foyer
    • Gordon & Dry Partnership - Architect
  • 1985 Alteration: new dressing rooms, wardrobe, studio theatre, green room, flying gear and workshops
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 1990 Alteration: stage rebuilt
    • Unknown - Architect
  • 2000 Alteration: front of house refurbished
    • Unknown - Architect
• Capacities
  • Original: 604 (?)
  • Later: 1981: 490
  • Current: 490 (& studio 100)
• Listings
  • Grade B
• Stage type
  • Proscenium, raked 1:24
• Dimensions
  • Proscenium width: 7.35m
  • Height to grid: 13.4m
• Unreliable anecdotes
  This theatre is haunted - the first ‘fact’ I was told on my assessment tour, and repeated many times! Claims of cold draughts can probably be attributed to climatic conditions outside. (BP)