'At Risk' Leith Theatre Is Saved With £4.5m Funding

BBC Lynn is sitting in a theatre chair looking back over her shoulder at the camera. She has brown shoulder length hair. She is smiling and wearing a red scarf. The stage is blurred and in the background. — Lynn Morrison, chief executive from Leith Theatre Trust, said she was delighted

A historic Edinburgh theatre on an “at-risk” register for almost a decade is to be saved after being awarded £4.5m.

Leith Theatre, which opened in 1932, is to receive the cash from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Grade-B listed building was built as a gift to the people of Leith following the incorporation of Leith into the City of Edinburgh’s new boundaries in 1920.

Officials said lengthy periods of closure have preserved many original features, making the theatre a distinctive and valuable heritage site.

In its glory days the Leith Theatre hosted bands including AC/DC and Slade

The theatre has a brown wooden floor with brown steps leading onto the stage. There is a blue surround with white pattern. Chairs are in the foreground. — In its glory days the Leith Theatre hosted bands including AC/DC and Slade

Lynn Morrison, Leith Theatre Trust chief executive, said: “We are delighted with this initial support from The National Lottery Fund.

“This is a significant milestone.”

In its glory days the theatre hosted bands including AC/DC and Slade.

As one of few buildings in Edinburgh to sustain war damage, the theatre was closed in 1941. It then reopened for pop-up events over the years.

But the main auditorium has been closed for more than half its life.

Leith Theatre opened in 1932 as a gift to Leith from the people of Edinburgh

Ryan Buchanan A curved road outside a sandstone building with a columned walkway an round windows above it — Leith Theatre opened in 1932 as a gift to Leith from the people of Edinburgh

This June performers will put on a musical version of the Scottish classic film, Restless Natives.

The co-writer and producer Andy Paterson said it was an obvious place for them to perform it.

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, said: “It’s a wonderful building and I have been pleased to support the Leith Theatre team, and dream, in any ways that I could, since being elected in 2016.

“I predict there will be significant demand to perform on the stage – by musicians, actors and other various artists.”

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