After remaining closed for 488 days, the Theatre Royal reopened with a sell-out performance from Comedian Mark Nelson kicking of the 10 day region wide Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and reigniting their bustling building with live audiences again.
Although the audience capacity had to be greatly reduced due to the Covid-19 restrictions in place at the time, he performed to a sell-out crowd, as well as to audiences at home through a live stream of the performance.
Scotland’s oldest theatre, built in 1792 and refurbished in 2015, has the perfect set up for both live and streamed performances, with two theatres – one a fully equipped dance studio, meeting rooms, rehearsal rooms, a huge range of costumes and props for hire, and a fully licensed bar.
Rescued from demolition in 1959 by the Guild of Players, The theatre has a rich history, from Robert Burns and J.M.Barrie to John Laurie and a host of other household names.
Find out more as the theatre is part of Doors Open Days Dumfries & Galloway on Saturday 4th September between 10am and 1pm giving locals the opportunity the chance to take a tour of the building and experience the history for themselves.
After a tumultuous year for the performing arts industry alongside many other venues within the region, they are delighted to be welcoming back live performances and experiencing the hustle and bustle of rehearsals again.
Supporting their young performers, The Musical Theatre Group are presenting Annie Jr. for 6 shows over the weekends of Saturday 4th and Saturday 11th September. The young cast have worked exceptionally hard to create this show considering the restrictions in place and it will be an excellent opportunity to support the young performers of Dumfries & Galloway.
The Guild of Players are also bringing back the much loved comedy The Steamie, set in 1950’s Glasgow. It is set on Hogmanay and provides a window into the lives and aspirations of a group of Glasgow women washing their clothes in a public washhouse.
Due to perform at the Theatre back in April 2020, ‘Owdyado Theatre brings you three more twisted tales from three distinct voices, this series of dark comedies is sure to offer a thrilling performance on Wednesday 13th October.
Also, if you have missed live music the Theatre have programmed many toe tapping events to get you back out celebrating again. From a Country Night at The Studio on September 10th they are set to host their first music night since the successful Open Mic night before the covid Pandemic. Ali Donowho, who normally fronts the band Lowdown Highway, will be stepping out on his own for the first time in a (very) long time to entertain the audience, with Timeless Country classics and some of today’s Contemporary Country, a great night is guaranteed.
Then not to be missed is Las Vegas Live with the Rat Pack & Marilyn, the official UK No.1 tribute show, as voted by The Agents Association of Great Britain for three successive years, coming direct from London’s Leicester Square Theatre and the O2 on Sunday 17th October.
To Just Beatles, Scotland’s homegrown ensemble of musicians, performing their spectacular new critically acclaimed show that gives you a concert experience of pure Beatles nostalgia on Friday 22nd October.
Then on Friday 12th November, Tupelo to Vegas – A Tribute to Elvis from international Elvis Masters Champion, Jared Lee, recreating the electrifying career of the king himself, taking you from the early years, right through the movie years to the concert years of his career.
From Elvis to Abba, ABBAMANIA, Europe’s leading ABBA tribute, will entertain audiences with their outstanding vocals and musical performance live on stage this Christmas on Sunday 19th December, the perfect Christmas night out for you and your team.
Not only are the theatre programming some exciting musical performances this year, dark comedy thriller The Killer Question, is headed to the theatre on Wednesday 3rd November where The Silence of the Lambs, meets Last of the Summer Wine where audiences will decide who plays what character in this cat and mouse variety with more than one deadly twist in the tale.
Returning to the Theatre this year are Oddbodies to present their show King Lear on Wednesday 10th November. Armed with only a drum, a guitar, a knife, and a chair, this inventive, irreverent and highly accessible one man show is presented to you from the point of view of LEAR’s long suffering and ever loyal fool, an unmissable reworking of one of Shakespeare’s most brilliant plays.
Classic lunchtime theatre is also headed back to the Theatre Royal this year too following the huge success of Rapture Bites 2019, acclaimed touring company Rapture Theatre returns, in the style of the treasured Ealing comedies; The Dock Brief is a delightful play about the law, life and love and will be heading to the Theatre for lunch on Wednesday 12th November.
From Saturday 27th November to Saturday 11th December, it is off to the panto for the Theatre Royal team as the Guild of Players present Snow White by Ben Crocker for the first time ever, with a relaxed performance available as a matinee on Sunday 5th December.
Mark Alexander, Theatre Director said:
“It is so good to be back welcoming audiences new and old to live performances again. We hope there is something for everyone, with drama, comedy, and music of all sorts ,and of course our traditional family pantomime “Snow White” We also have a packed programme of local community events and Youth Theatre.”
If you would like to book tickets for one of their events, please visit: https://www.theatreroyaldumfries.co.uk/
Or to enquire about booking space at the Theatre for an event, please contact: [email protected]
