Lovers of the arts in Perth will have their patience rewarded with one of the best theatres in Scotland, the man in charge has pledged.
In an exclusive interview with The Courier, Horsecross Arts board chairman Magnus Linklater defended delays to the £15 million project to revamp Perth Theatre.
He said “tremendous work” is going on behind the scenes to bring the complex development to fruition.
Horsecross Arts and Perth and Kinross Council agreed it was imperative to review the design of the theatre to ensure this tied in with the projected budget. The move led to a delay in work starting on the theatre, which is due to re-open in 2017.
Yesterday, Mr Linklater said he feels the delays are “part of getting it right”.
He said: “I know people are getting a bit impatient but believe me a tremendous amount of work is going on in the background to ensure that it is absolutely the right building, at the right price and delivered at the right time.
“I think we would have been criticised if we had pressed ahead with a building which turned out to be either over budget or the wrong building.
“We want the theatre to be one of the best in Scotland.
“The work going on behind the scenes may not be visible but it’s every bit as important to the success of the project as getting scaffolding up.
“It will be a major addition to the theatre scene in Scotland and that’s how important it is to us and to Scottish culture.
“We know what we are doing, we know where we are going and we know we have a big challenge ahead of us in terms of keeping an audience while the theatre is being built.”
Horsecross is currently using alternative venues, such as Birnam Arts Centre, and hopes to stage shows in the AK Bell Library.
Mr Linklater admitted the role he took on was “tough” initially as a £500,000 ‘black hole’ in finances at Perth Concert Hall was dealt with, along with the loss of several board members.
He said he feels matters have now stabilised.
“Horsecross needed to get itself back on two feet but I think I can safely say that Horsecross is now in very good shape,” he added.
“Obviously, a couple of years ago it went through a very turbulent period and we had to put in place a new board.
“We’ve done that and we’ve appointed a new chief executive who will do a very good job.
“We now need to begin thinking about appointing an artistic director for the theatre.
“I can honestly say that the atmosphere at Horsecross Arts at the moment is very good.”
The £15m revamp of the Blisted Perth Theatre will see its auditorium restored to its former glory with the orchestra pit reinstated and a new 225seat studio theatre created.
It will still have its High Street Entrance but will also have a new faade on Mill Street.
Funding of £13.5m has already been pledged, with a private fundraising campaign set to raise the remaining £1.5m.