Located on High Street in N Central Perth, Perth Theatre (originally Perth Repertory Theatre) was built 1898-1900, at a cost of £4500, deliberately hidden behind a red-sandstone street frontage. A canopied entrance (dating from 1967) leads to a glass-roofed foyer and then a charming Edwardian auditorium with roccoco decoration, which needed extensive restoration following a fire in 1924. The B-listed theatre was refurbished once again in 1981 and now has a capacity of 450, comprising 290 in the stalls and a further 160 in the circle above. The foyer includes a café bar.
Perth Theatre traces its history back to the 16th century and was in private hands until 1966, when it passed to the Scottish Arts Council. Two years later it was purchased by Perth Town Council. Today, the venue is run by Horsecross, a company which is backed by Perth and Kinross Council.
The first repertory company in Scotland was established within the theatre in 1935. Actor Iain Cuthbertson (b.1930) was appointed artistic director in 1967 and Ewan McGregor (b.1971) began his career here in 1987.
The building also houses Perth Studio Theatre, which is home to Perth Youth Theatre and is used as rehearsal space, with the potential for use as a small venue for theatre, music and cabaret.
