The Tivoli Theatre: A New Beginning
The Tivoli Theatre will become the new mid-scale theatrical venue for Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.
After consultation and advice from the Theatre's Trust, Historic Scotland and the Naismith-Dunbar architectural practice, the Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust commissioned an architect to devise a unique solution for the theatre that would retain the existing excellent listed auditorium and façade and re-build the stage area with cutting edge technical facilities.
A detailed inspection of the building revealed many hidden voids and unused spaces. The new designs will open these areas for the first time since the Matcham reconstruction of the theatre.
The front of house and dressing room block will be replaced with new spacious dressing rooms, welcoming foyer with exhibition and corporate entertainment / rehearsal space.
A cafe/bar facility will be accessible from street level. There will be disabled access both front and back stage. The resultant plans create what is in effect a "new build" attached to the historic auditorium and façade.
The unique surviving theatrical electrical equipment will be retained and recent research has uncovered the remains of under stage machinery including star traps and lifts. This historic equipment will be restored and conserved as part of the Tivoli Theatre educational resource.
The stage area can be converted into a small "studio theatre" space and it is envisaged that the auditorium will also be attractive for business promotions and conferences and that the street level bar/café will be open during the day to serve the adjacent major transport interchange.
The Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust is registered with the Scottish Charity Commission. The intention is for the Trust to purchase and own the building and for the Tivoli to be run by a theatre company with all profits accruing to the Trust.
