Plans to buy and renovate the former King’s Theatre in Dundee at the cost of around £20 million are being finalised for submission to a national funding body.
Peter Murray Spencer, convener of the King’s Theatre Company, told the Courier the group is hoping to gain access to the theatre to refurbish and reopen it as soon as possible.
He said, “We are still considering the updated business plan, which was originally created about 12 years ago.
“When this plan is finalised we will send it to Creative Scotland and we hope they will fund part or all of the purchase price.”
The purchase price is thought to be in the region of £2 million and the refurbishment could come in between £15 and £20 million depending upon estimates.
The building is currently run as a nightclub and operates two to three times a week but is empty on other occasions unless it is being hired out.
The group is hoping to make an offer once the business plan is up and running and, after the building is purchased, further fund-raising will be required for renovations.
Mr Spencer said the project also hopes to apply for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund through Historic Scotland.
He went on, “Brian Cox is our honorary president and we have support from other people such as TV personality Lorraine Kelly, writer and broadcaster Billy Kay and Dundee Lord Provost John Letford.
“We have prints for sale to raise money at the Eduardo Alessandro Studios in Broughty Ferry and also the West End Gallery in Perth Road showing the theatre as it was around 100 years ago.Legendary”We are hoping to form a board of governors soon and we also intend to start the Friends of the King’s Theatre Society for fund-raising.”
The building in Cowgate was opened in 1909 and in its heyday legendary performers including Harry Lauder and Marie Lloyd graced its stage. A celebration of its centenary was held last year at The Italian restaurant in the city centre.
It had a capacity of 1500 with 400 standing on the levels of the stalls, circle, balcony and gallery. By the 1960s it had turned into a cinema, it was then a bingo hall and became a bar and nightclub after this.
The original campaign to restore the theatre to its former glory ran from 1990 to 1997. At the time, Dundee City Council was unable to provide any money and the various cultural bodies that now offer funding did not exist.
The business plan states that despite being the fourth largest city in Scotland, Dundee does not have a presenting proscenium arch theatre capable of housing large-scale tours.
In the proposed refurbishment, the balcony wall would be rebuilt with fewer rows of seats, the stage would be wider to accommodate today’s larger productions, and the false floor removed to reveal the original raked stage and orchestra pit.
In addition, the dressing rooms would be rebuilt, the dome would be repaired and repainted, to the original bright colours, new seating would be installed and the safety curtain fronted by a quality cinema screen.
Mr Spencer said the theatre would also be of benefit to amateur companies in the local area and performing arts students.
He added, “The development of the city’s waterfront, the refurbishment of the McManus Galleries and the proposal for the Victoria and Albert museum all go together with the project for the King’s Theatre.”