The £19.4 million Citizens Theatre redevelopment project has just received further grant funding of £1 million from Glasgow City Council, which brings the total support from the council to £5 million.
Since its formation in 1943, the Citizens Theatre has brought many outstanding productions to the stage; however, the condition of the building now presents a risk for its long term operation. The cost of emergency repairs impacts on its budget for performance, community, and audience development work.
The redevelopment work that will transform the council-owned building is due to start later this year and expected to be completed by December 2020. The theatre’s administration, box office and learning functions will relocate to Scotland Street School Museum, with the museum open as normal. The carpentry, lightning, rehearsals, stage management, and wardrobe functions will relocate to City Building’s Skills Academy in the Gorbals, while a number of performances will take place in Tramway.
“I am delighted that the council has approved this final piece of funding for the redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre, for so long a great ambassador for Glasgow, delivering notably successful community programmes and where so many theatrical careers have been launched. This project complements much of what we are doing in the Laurieston and Gorbals area, and I am sure that when complete, we will have an asset for all of Glasgow that brings us fantastic cultural, economic and social benefits,” said Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Public Ream at Glasgow City Council.
Judith Kilvington, executive director of the Citizens Theatre, would like to call on the general public to help with their We Are Citizens campaign that aims to raise the final £1.6 million needed for the redevelopment project. “This additional funding is essential not only to the redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre, but to the regeneration of the Gorbals and Laurieston.”
