September 6th 1900

Theatre and opera in Perth

“For an hour or two before the opening of the doors, the High Street directly opposite the main entrance was one moving mass of people, who, immediately the doors were open made their way, rapidly as the pressure would admit to the auditorium. By half past seven the theatre was crowded from floor to ceiling with a thoroughly representative audience; many eminent citizens, and the Lord Provost, graced the proceedings. If the interior was beautiful by day it was absolutely gorgeous by night with the full glare of the gas setting off every hole and corner, every arch featuring to the best possible advantage. A theatrical gem of its kind, much praise to William Alexander of Dundee (the architect).” 

Though September 6th 1900 saw the birth of Perth Theatre as we know it, the theatre in Perth enjoyed much earlier beginnings, and suitable safeguards too. In 1589 “The Ministers and Elders give license to play the play with conditions that no swearing or any scurrility shall be spoken which would be a scandal to our religion which we profess, and for an evil example to others.” 

At this time performances took place in the open but in 1616, the Grammar School in St Anne’s Lane was used to house the occasional visits from travelling companies. Not everyone was pleased. “A tragedy was performed twice last week and several of the spectators were very offended.”  More official disapproval was such that for well over 100 years there were no theatrical performances at all in the town, but eventually in 1810 the premises at St Anne’s Lane were converted and improved to provide Perth with its first permanent theatre. Under the actor-management of Mr Corbet Ryder the theatre enjoyed great success. One of the triumphs of his period as manager was the production of Rob Roy which played altogether over 700 times. When Mr Ryder left, theatrical production ceased and in 1824 the building was destroyed by fire.

Other buildings in the town were used for performances including the Guildhall and most notably the Glover’s Hall in George Street where on one famous occasion the gallery gave way in the middle of a performance. Miraculously no one was killed. However the irrepressible Corbet Ryder was soon back and opened the Theatre Royal in Atholl Street with William Macready, the younger, as one of his opening stars. This seems to have been an eminently successful move with particularly happy consequences for Mr Macready.

From his Diary. ” Never were innocence and sensibility more sweetly personified than in her mild look and speaking eyes streaming with unbidden tears.”  A later entry. “My opportunities of conversation with this interesting creature were very frequent and as they occurred I grew less and less desirous of avoiding them. On the last night of my engagement at Perth I sent for her into my room and presented her with the handsomest shawl I could procure in Perth. I bade her farewell assuring her that she might rely on always finding a ready friend in me. My way lay far away from her, but her image accompanied me in my southward journey and I may say indeed never after left me.”  The lady in question was Catherine Atkins and three years later they were married.

The Theatre Royal, though successful for many years, eventually found the competition provided by the new City Hall built in 1845 too much. It was closed and the building sold to a firm of clothing manufacturers. There was one more attempt made to bring live theatre to Perth in the 19th Century, the short lived Perth Opera House. Then for the next thirty years there was no real theatre in the city. As the Perthshire Advertiser put it. “Our citizens have long wanted a place of amusement again and are heartily sick of fit-up companies and cold cheerless halls, the very aspect of which on a winter’s evening makes one shiver.” 

September 6th 1900 was the start of a new and better era. Perth Theatre never looked back and today enjoys a high reputation for the quality of its productions and the excellent support from the community.

Long may it continue.