From tickets dating back more than 100 years, to a copy of a newspaper from 1900, old lemonade bottles and a 1971 edition of Jackie magazine, the onsite team at Perth Theatre has unearthed a series of interesting finds as work progresses.
Now theatre fans who form the Perth Theatre Memory Collective are preparing to reveal some of the discoveries they have made while researching the history of Perth’s 116-year-old venue. At two free Perth Theatre Discoveries sessions on Tuesday 27 September and Tuesday 8 November in Perth Concert Hall’s Norie-Miller Studio, members of the Memory Collective will recount their fascinating journeys through the Perth Theatre archives, sharing stories about the history of the site, surrounding area, and productions and performers at Perth Theatre. Special guests who have played a key role in the life of the much-loved venue will join in with their own personal recollections.
Perth Theatre Memory Collective member David Dewar who has been tracking Perth Theatre plays and performers from 1900s to the present day said: “I have been going to Perth Theatre for over 50 years. I have found researching plays and actors fascinating because I didn’t realise how many 50s/60s TV actors were in Perth early in their careers. It has also been interesting finding out about the pre Marjorie Dence/David Steuart era.”
There will also be an update on the progress of work on site at Perth Theatre and the ongoing fundraising campaign to secure the final £1.5m required to fully kit out the restored and redeveloped venue when it reopens in late 2017. A further two Perth Theatre Discoveries sessions are planned for spring 2017.
Open to all, Perth Theatre Discoveries are supported by KeepSafe Storage Centres, a local business dedicated to preserving possessions and memories.
Anne Smith, managing director of Keepsafe Storage Centres said: “As sponsors of this incredible project, we’re delighted to support this fantastic opportunity for the public to learn a little about the history of our iconic theatre. At Keepsafe Storage, we often hear about our clients rediscovering some hidden gems, so it is also fascinating to hear about the remarkable items that have been discovered during the transformation works.” Click here to book your free tickets for Perth Theatre Discoveries or call Perth Concert Hall Box Office on 01738 621031.