Theatre Royal Dumfries
The Theatre Royal Dumfries is the oldest working theatre in Scotland. Built in 1792 after funds were raised by public subscription, the Theatre opened its doors on the 29th September 1792.
The theatre has a long and storied history, including visits from such famous faces as Robert Burns, J. M. Barrie and even Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. It has seen use as a theatre, music hall, cinema and at one point, a roller skating rink.
After the closure of the cinema in 1954, the Theatre Royal lay vacant until it was purchased by the Guild of Players in 1959. After returning the building to use as a theatre, the Guild continued to make improvements to the building and its facilities. The most recent changes were made from 2013-15 when the building was refurbished and expanded, creating a more modern theatre for the 21st Century.
Today the Guild continue to put on their regular season of plays, including their annual Christmas pantomime, while also welcoming an expanded programme of touring shows from all around the world. The theatre is also home to several other local groups, providing facilities for dance and theatre schools, writers workshops and the occasional festival.
The main auditorium has 190 seats; there is also a Studio that can accommodate 60, a bar and two smaller rooms available for hire.