The £16.6 million transformation of Perth Theatre – which will be completed later this year – will get a royal seal of approval next week.
The Earl of Wessex, who has a keen interest in the arts, will be shown behind the scenes at the 117-year-old Edwardian Theatre on Tuesday June 27.
During the visit he will tour the revamped interior of the theatre and rebury a time capsule from 1899 which was uncovered during the most recent work.
Gwilym Gibbons, chief executive of Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, said they were delighted to welcome the royal visitor to the project.
“The visit comes at a significant time in the history of the theatre as it reaches the final stages of its transformation,” said Mr Gibbons.
“We look forward to showing him the emerging new spaces and the painstaking auditorium restoration, and introducing some of our young drama and singing participants, actors with a close connection to Perth Theatre and other key players.”
The people of Dunkeld will also get a chance to see the royal visitor as he helps celebrate the 450th anniversary of The Royal School of Dunkeld.
“I know that pupils from the school are particularly looking forward to welcoming him to the area, and to having him attend the rededication service more than four centuries after the original Royal Charter was granted to the school,” said Provost Dennis Melloy.
As part of the visit to the school, the Earl will unveil the school’s Coat of Arms Letter Patent, granted in the first year of the reign of the Queen and newly restored by the Court of the Lord Lyon. He will also visit the Royal School of Dunkeld garden party, which will include a celebration of school history by the children.
Members of the public wishing to see the royal visitor are encouraged to gather in the centre of Dunkeld at 2pm, between Cathedral Street and High Street, via The Cross, as he will be taking part in a walkabout following the service of rededication at he cathedral.
After visiting Dunkeld the Earl of Wessex will make his way to Willowgate Activity Centre, near Friarton Bridge, where he will name a Tay River skiff built by Duke of Edinburgh Award participants and school children from Perth High School, supported by the Tay Landscape Partnership.
