Ayr’s Gaiety Theatre, long cherished as a “jewel” in the history of the town of Ayr, is the subject of an assessment that could lead to it being removed from local authority control – and incorporated into a separate trust.

The Gaiety – which celebrated its 100th “birthday” in 2002 – and is the last Gaiety Theatre on the British mainland, is current owned and run by South Ayrshire Council.

In a move aimed at ensuring - and safeguarding - the theatre’s future, the Council’s Administration is undertaking research, investigating the feasibility of transferring the Gaiety into a trust.

After paying a personal visit to see the theatre’s current highly successful pantomime, Aladdin, the Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Gibson T. Macdonald explained the action currently being undertaken.

He said: “The separate benefits which would apply to the Gaiety Theatre, and to the Council, in having the theatre transferred to a trust are being carefully examined. 

“Once the research is complete, and if it is considered both appropriate and mutually worthwhile, then a proposal will be presented to the Council for its consideration and for any decision to be taken. Word seems to have already leaked out, as prominent members of the public have already come forward expressing an interest in being linked with a trust.

“Prior to any question of the Gaiety becoming a trust, obviously steps will have to be taken to ensure the theatre is in appropriately good condition. This is already recognised, and preparations are being made for requirements for upgrading work to be quantified. 

“Obviously in dealing with a building which has even some renovated sections 50 years old there are areas that will have to be looked at carefully from a health and safety point of view, and upgrading work will have to be done.

“In order to create a time slot for any required work to take place, we are planning well in advance to temporarily close the theatre in early 2008, at the end of the annual pantomime. Careful advance planning and preparation should allow the least amount of closure time and loss of productions.”

The Leader of the Council also took time out to send congratulations to cast, and all concerned with this year’s pantomime, Aladdin.

After his personal visit to the pantomime, along with young grand-daughter, Anne, who he described as being “enthralled,” Councillor Macdonald wrote to the Gaiety Theatre manager, Paul Pomfret, saying that the performance was “magic.”

Wrote Councillor Macdonald: “Since I have attended pantomimes in the Alhambra and other places since I was 5 years old, I know what I am talking about. It is not just about the costumes, colour and noise, the performers add the extra ingredients of enthusiasm, talent, style and panache that makes pantomimes so very, very special.”

And he enthused: “Well done, everyone, it is performances such as this that will ensure the future of our treasured theatre and sell tickets for other performances in the coming years.”

December 2006