The Abbey Theatre, Arbroath
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th September 2011
An opportunity to visit the Abbey Theatre first opened to the public in 1964.
The Arbroath Dramatic Society, presented their first production, the play Outward Bound, on the 27th March 1947 at the old Webster Memorial Hall.
In the early 1960's Gwen Williams found an old 'hackle' store in Abbot Street, originally offices in the old Arbroath Gas Company; this had in turn been a fire appliance store during the war. With the generosity of the then club treasurer, 'Jinky' Farquhar, the premises were purchased for £250. The building was initially used for storage; after three years hard work and again the generosity and interest of Town Council and general public, the Abbey Theatre was born. It had an auditorium seating sixty, proscenium and stage, coffee-lounge and reception; the dressing-rooms were above the stage accessed by a ladder.
An adjoining upstairs loft became available and was purchased, the extra space was used for new dressing-rooms, a Green Room and much needed storage.
In 1995 an application was made to The National Lottery funding to completely refurbish the audience and performance area of the theatre. After walking the financial cliff-edge for some years this has finally come to fruition and the theatre is as you see it today, totally the effort and responsibility of a very hard working group of enthusiasts who hold their destiny in their hands.
Opening Times
Open – Saturday 17th September 10.00 – 16.00
Sunday 18th September 12.00 – 16.00
Contact – 01241-876420
Directions/Parking
Abbey Theatre, Abbot Street Arbroath DD11 1HH
From Kirk Square (Angus Council Access Office), head east towards Hill Place, continue onto Academy Street towards Ponderlaw Street, turn left into Barber’s Croft which follows onto Convent Street, then take 2nd right into Abbot Street.
Parking – on street parking available & disabled parking available
Notes for Info
Disabled Access & toilets– Yes
Toilets – Yes
Refreshments – Yes
Backstage Tours - Yes