Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The Pitlochry Festival Theatre is large performing arts theatre located in the town and burgh of Pitlochry in Perthshire, Scotland. The idea of a performance space in the area was conceived in the late 1940s by John Stewart, a leading promoter of amateur dramatics in Glasgow. The theatre officially opened on 19 May 1951. HistoryAfter the decline and subsequent closure of his Park Theatre Club in the West End of Glasgow, John Stewart decided to plan a theatre site in the Knockendarroch area of Pitlochry. However Stewart's plans were met with little success as building licences were refused by the Ministry of Works. Following this setback, Stewart had the idea of founding a tent-style theatre. This would involve him viewing the wet weather tent of London's Regent's Park and the Birmingham Arena Theatre. Stewart searched for the construction company of these tents in Walsall, eventually investing in one for a theatre space for Pitlochry. After construction work and promotion by the Scottish Tourist Board, the theatre officially opened on May 19th, 1951. In his opening address, chairman of the board and later Secretary of State for Scotland Tom Johnston said, "This theatre is a monument to one man’s courage, one man’s persistence, and one man’s great faith. "

The Pitlochry Festival Theatre is large performing arts theatre located in the town and burgh of Pitlochry in Perthshire, Scotland. The idea of a performance space in the area was conceived in the late 1940s by John Stewart, a leading promoter of amateur dramatics in Glasgow. The theatre officially opened on 19 May 1951. HistoryAfter the decline and subsequent closure of his Park Theatre Club in the West End of Glasgow, John Stewart decided to plan a theatre site in the Knockendarroch area of Pitlochry. However Stewart's plans were met with little success as building licences were refused by the Ministry of Works. Following this setback, Stewart had the idea of founding a tent-style theatre. This would involve him viewing the wet weather tent of London's Regent's Park and the Birmingham Arena Theatre. Stewart searched for the construction company of these tents in Walsall, eventually investing in one for a theatre space for Pitlochry. After construction work and promotion by the Scottish Tourist Board, the theatre officially opened on May 19th, 1951. In his opening address, chairman of the board and later Secretary of State for Scotland Tom Johnston said, "This theatre is a monument to one man’s courage, one man’s persistence, and one man’s great faith. "