THE Leith Theatre Trust has received a bumper funding boost from the national lottery following a recent announcement that it has been leased for 50 years.
The council leased the Grade B listed building to the theatre trust, providing security and allowing the trust to begin planning for the future.
The trust’s Back to Life: The Theatre That Isn’t Just a Theatre plan can now be put into action after the National Lottery Trust awarded the project £247,947.
This is the first round of funding received from a pot of £4.2m, and if more detailed proposals from the trust are approved, they could be awarded the full seven figure sum.
The trust wants to preserve the space as a community resource and plans to “remix” the old and the new.
The building was originally built and opened in 1932 as part of a town hall, was subsequently bombed in World War Two and eventually achieved Grade B listed status.
The theatre has gone through many long periods of closure with lots of its original features being preserved as a result.
Despite its age, the building remains active and has many productions scheduled throughout the coming year.
In June, a musical version of the Scottish classical film Restless Natives will run in the historical theatre.
For a variety of reasons though, the main auditorium of the storied theatre has sadly been closed for more than half of its lifespan.
Lynn Morrison, Leith Theatre Trust chief executive, said: “We are delighted with this initial support from The National Lottery Fund.
“This is a significant milestone.”
