Perth Theatre

Perth Theatre stands in Mill Street, Perth, beside the River Tay. The present building opened in 1900, replacing an earlier playhouse of 1820. It was designed by William Alexander, Dundee’s City Architect, who also planned Her Majesty’s Theatre there. The foundation stone was laid by actor George Alexander in 1899. The theatre was run at first by JH Savile, who owned Paisley Theatre, and his family until 1935. The theatre is worth the journey for its lively repertory tradition. In 1935 Ernest Dence formed Perth Repertory Theatre Ltd to support his daughter Marjorie Dence. She and actor David Steuart built a company that produced 51 plays in its first year. The theatre hosted the first Scottish Theatre Festival in 1939 and again in 1945. Joan Knight became artistic director in 1968 and led a rebuilding programme that added a restaurant, studio theatre and rehearsal rooms. Inside, visitors find a restored auditorium with pit, two balconies and boxes. The 1980s extension has been removed, returning the exterior to Alexander’s design. A studio theatre and rehearsal rooms lie behind the main stage. The building is now managed by Horsecross Arts alongside Perth Concert Hall. Young performers train in Perth Youth Theatre, founded in 1966, whose alumni include Ewan McGregor and Colin McCredie.