ABOUT THE THEATRE ROYAL

In recent years the Theatre has beeen re-roofed and the outside refurbished to restore it to its former glory
It is the venue for the Guild of Players' own productions and for performances from visiting companies. These include: Scottish Opera, TAG, the Borderline and 784.

In addition it is extensively used for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Dumfries Music Festival, the Dumfries Musical and Operatic Society and the Ian Wardlaw Trust Drama Competition

For the past two years the Guild has been negotiating with the Scottish Arts Council Lottery Fund for a grant towards the cost of extending the Theatre building into the empty yard beside it in Shakespeare Street, and into a second adjacent property in Queen Street. The new accomodation would include a dance theatre, a new reception area and entrance, an improved licensed bar and coffee bar area and dressing room space, and rebuilding of the original balconies in the the auditorium itself. All the facilities will be made accessible to disabled people.

The enlarged building would then be available as a communnity resource for a wider variety of day-time and evening activities, including conferences, workshops and courses, as well as performances.

It is still unclear when a decision is likely to be reached about the grant application.