Actor Colin McCredie enjoyed a trip down memory lane this week when he was given a sneak preview of the multi-million pound restoration and redevelopment of Perth Theatre.
It was at the Edwardian theatre off the High Street that the former Perth High pupil made his first steps on stage that would set the course of his successful acting career.
“I worked in the box office and with the stage crew — I would do anything to be around the building,” he said.
Surveying the stripped out auditorium Colin reminisced about the lonely job of working the spotlight from the highest tiers of the theatre, watching out for a ghost which was supposed to haunt the quietest corners of the theatre.
His first role was in Oliver in 1984 and other productions including Babes in the Wood and Peter Pan with Rikki Fulton quickly followed.
It was as a member of the youth theatre that he first met Ewan McGregor who was starting out at Perth.
“Ewan went to Kirkcaldy and I went to Glasgow and a few years later we were in Shallow Grave together,” said Colin, 44, who also had a leading role in Taggart.
A keen St Johnstone fan — he watches them whenever he can — Colin was appearing this week at Perth Concert Hall in the spy thriller Democracy by Michael Frayn.
The scale of the vision for the theatre impressed Colin and Horsecross Arts chief executive Gwilym Gibbons gave him a progress report on the work.
The B listed auditorium has been stripped out and is being restored to its former glory with the orchestra pit reinstated. A new 225 seat studio theatre is also being created.
The High Street entrance will remain in operation but the new façade on Mill Street will ensure that the theatre is accessible to all.
“We are really happy with how it is progressing, the theatre should be open in late autumn next year,” said Mr Gibbons.
“From Mill Street people can see the new building taking shape and can imagine what access will be like.”
Colin said the investment in Perth Theatre would be a cornerstone of the bid to be City of Culture 2021.
”Perth certainly punches above its weight, it now regularly attracts top acts,” he said.
