Gaiety Theatre, Ayr facts for kids
.jpg)
The Gaiety Theatre is a special place in Ayr, Scotland, where people go to watch shows. It's a "listed building," which means it's important for its history and design. People love its beautiful inside, its great feeling, and how clear the sound is.
Contents
History of the Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre was first built in 1902. It had to be rebuilt twice after fires, once in 1904 and again in 1955. Its front was updated in 1935. Later, in 1995, new parts were added. These included a cafe, ticket office, and rooms for performers.
Early Years and Family Ownership
After a tricky start, the theatre became a cinema for a few years after World War I. Then, a man named Ben Popplewell bought it. His family ran the theatre for 50 years. During this time, the Gaiety became famous for its "variety shows." These were shows with many different acts, like singing, dancing, and comedy. Their summer show, called the "Gaiety Whirl," was very popular. Many famous Scottish and UK performers started their careers here. The theatre also showed other plays, including works by Shakespeare.
Local Council Takes Over
In 1974, the local Council bought the Gaiety Theatre. They continued to run it as a community theatre. The popular "Gaiety Whirl" and the yearly pantomime were still big hits. The theatre also started showing a wider range of performances. After many successful years, fewer people started coming to shows. The Council felt it was too expensive to keep the theatre open. So, in January 2009, the Gaiety Theatre closed its doors. This left Ayr without a theatre.
Community Efforts to Reopen
The closure of the Gaiety Theatre made many people in Ayr sad and upset. They didn't want their theatre to stay closed. More than 400 people came to a public meeting. The future of the theatre was a big topic in the news. Many Scottish performers also shared their disappointment. People talked a lot about it online too.
A New Partnership for the Theatre
In 2009, the local Council asked groups to apply to manage the theatre. The Ayr Gaiety Partnership (AGP) was chosen. This group was a charity formed by local people. About three years later, AGP got money from the Council and the Scottish Government. They also raised money from the community. AGP then signed a 99-year lease for the theatre. Their goal was not just to reopen the building. They wanted to make the performing arts exciting again in South Ayrshire. They hoped the Gaiety Theatre would become a main place for culture and help the local economy.
The Grand Reopening in 2012
The Ayr Gaiety Partnership had big plans for the theatre. Their first goal was to reopen with a successful pantomime. On December 11, 2012, after many challenges, the Gaiety reopened. They put on the pantomime Cinderella. It was a huge success and sold out for over 40 shows!
About Ayr Gaiety Partnership
The Ayr Gaiety Partnership is a charity. It was started by people from the local community. Anyone who lives nearby or is interested in the theatre can become a member. The directors of the partnership are Ian Welsh, David Quayle, Chris Fremantle, Graham Peterkin, and Professor Gayle McPherson.
Staff and Volunteers at The Gaiety
The new Ayr Gaiety is special because many people help run it for free. Most of the people who work at the front of the theatre, with the lights and sound, or with fundraising and marketing, are volunteers. They give their time to help the theatre. The volunteers are guided by the Executive Director and the Board. Each volunteer team also has a staff member who helps lead them. The Gaiety has a small team of nine full-time employees. Jeremy Wyatt is the Executive Director who leads this team.
Scotland's First Learning Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) have teamed up. On September 19, 2014, they officially launched Scotland's first "Learning Theatre." This partnership will be a place for education, training, and research. It will focus on performance and theatre skills.
UWS works closely with the Gaiety. The University's new degree course, BA Technical Theatre, started in September. This course teaches students how to work backstage in theatre. They learn about stage management and how to produce shows. Students get real-world knowledge of the theatre industry. They can then work in many different places, from small theatres to big events and festivals. Students from the University's Performance program also use the theatre's facilities regularly.
