Photos of Gods In Perth Theatre Scotland Working

Photos of Gods In Perth Theatre Scotland  Working 

Perth Theatre unearths secret rooms

Looking into the lap of the gods! Truly amazing photo of the recently revealed original bench seating in the gods of Perth Theatre which has been covered up and built over since the 1960's. Our builders have marvelled at the craftsmanship which dates back to 1899. This will be lovingly restored and made available to happy bottoms for the first time in half a century when Perth Theatre reopens in late 2017

Construction crews working on the £16.5 million transformation of Perth Theatre have discovered “spooky” forgotten areas which were walled over during the 1920s.

They have also opened up the Gods seating circle, which has been out of action for more than 50 years.

The long-awaited work involves restoring the B-listed Edwardian auditorium to its former glory as well as a building a new 200-seat studio theatre.

Mr Gibbons said: “The Gods are being reinstated and this is the first time we have seen them since they were closed off in the 1960s

“They have been mostly used for storage, lighting and technical work.

“We’ve also uncovered some old cupboards and small rooms which were behind the walls and probably haven’t been opened up since the 1920s or 30s.

“There was one room which had a single chair in the middle of it, which looked particularly spooky.”

Mr Gibbons said: “I’m absolutely delighted by the care and attention that is being taken throughout this project. For example, some of the original stone work is being carefully removed and stored so that it can be used again.

years before work had even begun, he stressed that health and safety issues meant they had no option but to call a halt to performances while fundraising proceeded.

“Hopefully it will breathe new life into Perth’s cultural world. It should transform not just the building but the whole Mill Street area,” said Mr Linklater, who stressed the familiar High Street facade will be retained.

“The old theatre had run its course and we had reached a tipping point. It had become unsafe. It was a wonderful auditorium but a younger audience quite rightly expects more from modern theatre facilities.

“So rather than just refurbish a much loved theatre, we decided to preserve it and also add a whole new building, providing a creative space for community events, dance, music and experimental theatre, with an emphasis on youth involvement.

“We see the project as an essential part of the development of the city.”

Ghosts in Perth Theatre Scotland

Over the years there have been sightings in Perth Theatre of a lady in period costume hovering near one of the circle boxes, smells of cigar smoke blown by the ghosts of two old men who used to frequent the stalls and visions of a lady in grey, thought to be a former barmaid, up in the ‘gods
Ghosts of Two old men ,  former barmaid .
There where in  fact no fatalities as result  of this fire which discredits on suggested theory that the ghost was a fireman  who has perished .

it could  be the pre -1924 ghost 

Old Photos of Perth Theatre

Old Programmes in Perth Theatre Part 1

More Photos of Perth Theatre

John H Saville

John Henry Saville 

John H Saville  own Perth Theatre in 1900- 1924
was born into an East Anglian family of landowners and bankers. His father was a Norwich solicitor who he followed into the law profession. However, this career was short-lived and Saville soon became involved in the theatrical world. He became manager of the Theatre Royal in Sheffield, later manager of the Compton Comedy Company and eventually the owner of Paisley Theatre.

On 28 April 1924, fire (caused by a live cigarette end) destroyed the upper sections of the theatre (the Dress circle and Upper Circle were completely gutted, as was the flooring of the Gallery). The first person to spot the fire was a Mr. Halvor Boyd of 181 High Street who raised the alarm. At the same time, George Cushnie a well-known local footballer passing by saw the flames and ran to the Fire Station to call out the Brigade.

The subsequent performances (The Yellow Ticket with R. Gill-McLeay and Peggy Taber was playing at the time) were transferred to the Perth City Hall. The fire most likely caused by a cigarette caused around £5000 worth of damage. Saville nearly died in the fire trying to rescue papers from his office. The theatre was restored and reopened on September 22, 1924. It reopened with a classic performance of When Knights Were Bold starring Bromley Challoner and Enid Cooper.

The fire had affected Saville’s health and he passed away in his sleep at Bournemouth Hydro on Wednesday 19 July 1924, aged 67. His health had been failing for the last three years but had been compounded by the partial destruction of his beloved theatre in Perth. His wife and daughter Winifred took over the theatre, the former as proprietor and the latter as manager. Winifred ran the theatre until 1935 when she put it up for sale and retired to Torquay. Despite lucrative offers, she was determined to hold out until a suitable theatrical owner was found. It re-opened as a theatre on 23 September 1935.