Auditorium of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust
Auditorium of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust
Façade of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust
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Updated July 25, 2010
Replaced the Caledonian Theatre of 1895 (a wooden structure). The façe, originally red brick with stone dressings and industrial in character, was re-modelled in 1935 in cream and black faience resembling contemporary cinema design. The intimate auditorium, whose florid Rococo character dates from Cullen’s remodelling in 1904, has two balconies - the first of six rows and the second now only of three rows after reconstruction following a fire in 1955 when the capacity was reduced to 570. Single boxes tied into each balcony, framed by pilasters and surmounted by broken segmented pediments with large cartouches. The proscenium, apparently remodelled c.1935, is strangely low in relation to the auditorium - the top of the frame being level with the underside of the upper boxes. Above is a wall, decorated with a heavy, segmentally arched panel. Saucer-domed ceiling undecorated apart from cornice mouldings with cartouches at intervals. Garish pink and gold paintwork. Annexe added in 1995 of dubious merit, containing an enlarged box office, caféadministration and backstage facilities. This breeze-block addition resembles nothing so much as a social security office, being neither memorable for its modernity nor complementing the existing theatre. Within, it is coarsely detailed with horrid suspended ceilings and ‘eighties’ style shopping centre decor. The extra space, however, has been most welcome and has enabled the theatre to expand its activities, thus attracting more customers.
Auditorium of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust
Auditorium of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust
Façade of The Gaiety Theatre, Ayr, 1997
© The Theatres Trust