Gaiety (Ayr)

• Theatre ID
  2370
• Built / Converted
  1902
• Dates of use
  • 1902: continuing
• Current state
  Extant
• Current use
  dark (closed for Health & Safety reasons Jan 2009; preparing refurb project)
• Address
  Carrick Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, KA7 1NU, Scotland
• Website
  • The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr

Details

Replaced the Caledonian Theatre of 1895 (a wooden structure). The façe, originally red brick with stone dressings and industrial in character, was re-modelled in 1935 in cream and black faience resembling contemporary cinema design. The intimate auditorium, whose florid Rococo character dates from Cullen's remodelling in 1904, has two balconies - the first of six rows and the second now only of three rows after reconstruction following a fire in 1955 when the capacity was reduced to 570. Single boxes tied into each balcony, framed by pilasters and surmounted by broken segmented pediments with large cartouches. The proscenium, apparently remodelled c.1935, is strangely low in relation to the auditorium - the top of the frame being level with the underside of the upper boxes. Above is a wall, decorated with a heavy, segmentally arched panel. Saucer-domed ceiling undecorated apart from cornice mouldings with cartouches at intervals. Garish pink and gold paintwork. Annexe added in 1995 containing an enlarged box office, caféadministration and backstage facilities. While it may be suggested that the breeze-block addition does not complement the existing theatre building, the extra space it provided has been most welcome and enabled the theatre to expand its activities, thus attracting more customers. In January 2009 the theatre was forced to close for health and safety reasons, and works to refurbish and restore the building to full theatre use estimated at £3.6m. The Ayr Gaiety Partnership were set up, with the support of the local council, to work towards reopening for the 2010 pantomime season. Delays occurred, but in October 2010 the Gaiety Strategic Steering Group was created to work together with the Partnership, and funding for the restoration project is being raised. Their primary objective is to re-open the cafe/bar area as soon as possible, and then work towards reopening the theatre fully by the end of 2011, although dates at this stage are still uncertain.

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• Events
  • 1902 Use: continuing
  • 1902 Design/Construction:
    • J McHardy Young - Architect
  • 1935 - 0 Alteration: façade remodelled (architect unknown).
  • 1955 - 0 Alteration: reinstated after fire (architect unknown).
  • 1995 Alteration: extensive addition at side
    • Borough Architect - Architect
  • 1904 Design/Construction:
    • Alexander, Cullen, Cullen, Lochhead & Brown - Architect
    • Alexander Cullen - Consultant: Interior Design
  • 1902 Owner/Management: Ayr Gaiety Ltd
  • 1909 Owner/Management: Ayr Picture Palaces
  • 1925 Owner/Management: Leslie & Eric Popplewell
  • 1965 Owner/Management: Glasgow Pavilion Ltd
  • 1973 Owner/Management: Ayr Town Council (now South Ayrshire Council)
• Capacities
  • Original: c.900
  • Later: 1955: 570
  • Current: 584
• Listings
  • Grade B - 8.12.1972
• Stage type
  • raked 1:30
• Dimensions
  • Stage dimensions: w: 13.7m d: 9.15m
  • Proscenium width: w: 7.16m
  • Height to grid: 14.02m 35 lines, mainly hemp
  • Orchestra pit: for 12