Education chiefs at Dundee College have hailed the ”flying start” of the Gardyne Theatre since its refurbishment earlier this year.
Having closed for two years and spending over £48m to renovate the Gardyne site, Dundee College always pledged that the theatre would reopen.
At a time when theatres are closing all over the UK, it may seem strange that the college is involved with showbusiness.
However, the executive at Dundee College saw the launch of the theatre as not only a valuable educational resource the curriculum includes a strong element of performing arts courses but also an important community resource.
”Dundee College already maintains a huge commitment to the performing arts as evidenced by the launch of the Scottish School of Contemporary dance in the 1990s followed by the opening of the Space, our award-winning dance and theatre complex in 2001,” said depute principal Grant Ritchie.
The theatre has seen a packed programme of bookings since it reopened in August. Before Ricky Ross and then Scottish Opera filled in the 400-seat lyric theatre there was a real international flavour when nearly 250 young guests representing 48 countries from around the world fetched up as part of the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) which took place in the city.
The theatre also hosted the new Dundee Jazz Festival, which was a rip-roaring success.
The New Year looks set to get off to a great start with local band Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher launching their debut album with a concert on January 28.
The band recorded the album in the state-of-the-art studios at Gardyne Campus which are linked to the theatre.