The Opera House, Kilmarnock

Located in John Finnie Street (where the shell of the old Sandrianne Public House stands today), the Opera House was opened in 1875.  It was the first substantial theatre in Kilmarnock although there had been numerous forerunners in the previous 40 years.  Contemporary accounts refer to the venue as the New Theatre.

1.   The New Theatre in John Finnie Street circa 1875.

Dean Castle Photographic Collection
©East Ayrshire Council.

2.   The Opera House facade on John Finnie Street, viewed the from the south west.

Date: 18th February, 2010
Photographer: Mike Bailey

3.  The Opera House was destroyed by fire.  This is the vacant site behind the facade, seen from Strand Street.

Date: 22nd February, 2011
Photographer: Mike Bailey

Like the earlier theatres in Kilmarnock, the Opera House had a few years of popularity, but this did not last.  By the turn of the century patrons were able to travel to Glasgow where a wide variety of entertainment was offered or found other attractions in the burgh.

The theatre, described as an Italianate style opera house, was designed by the father and son team, James Ingram (1799 -1879) and Robert Samson Ingram (1841 - 1915).  These architects were responsible for the design of many of the public buildings in Kilmarnock during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Thee New Theatre, sometimes known as the Operetta House, was erected by a Joint-Stock Company at a cost of £7000. The architects, builders and joiners were all local; Andrew Calderwood, who later worked on the Burns Monument with Robert Ingram, was the builder and James Rome, the joiner. The foundation stone was laid by John Gilmour Esq. of Elmbank, a Kilmarnock Coalmaster.
             
The first lessees of the building were William Glover and George Francis, established theatrical managers at the Royal Theatre in Glasgow. The first show to be performed in the building was "Guy Mannering" by Sir Walter Scott.  This musical play had been premiered at the Covent Garden Theatre in London on March 12, 1816, with text by Daniel Terry, a friend of Scott, with music by Henry Bishop.

Describing the theatre, Archibald Adamson notes that it is a building that far surpasses anything of its kind in the West of Scotland. The interior is commodious, beautifully fitted up, and is of large proportions. The front, which is Corinthian and elaborately ornamental - is gracefully chaste.

After the Opera House fell dark in the late 1890's, it functioned as a saleroom and as a church (circa 1930/40) and latterly a public house and night club. Most of the building was destroyed by fire in 1989.  The rear of the ruined building was demolished in January 1992 but the facade remains, albeit in poor condition.  The facade is a 'B listed' structure.

In 2003 the local authority gave outline planning approval to an application for a hotel and retail development, incorporating the remaining facade. Plans include a basement retail unit of 546 sq. m. with a 5 floor hotel above.   Subsequently, the Klin Group proposed a three storey retail location, known as the Encore Project, in the style of Glasgow's Princes Square.  However, there was little progress with this proposal, with the development company concentrating on their Andrew Barclay Heritage Centre.

In July 2010 the Local Authority approved plans for a bespoke office suite to be built by the Klin Group.  The offices will house the council's finance and IT staff.  The existing facade of the building will be retained although an additional floor will be created above the this facade with a roof structure above, including fenestration, that approximates to the 1875 roof profile.  The new roof structure will rise above the ridge heights of the adjacent buildings.  The planning approval includes a number of conditions, including allowing RCAHMS time to complete a record of the facade although there is no provision for archeological investigation on the site.  The proposals for fenestration in the roof area was not approved and required further consultation.

It is noted that there has been some activity on the site in recent days and that revised plans have been submitted in repsonse to the planning conditions.

The developer of the site claims Donald Trump as her inspiration: after a few attempts she got him to send her ideas on how to approach urban regeneration, advice which she has put to good use in Kilmarnock.  'His best advice was to interact with the community and bring it with you!'


There is no information on the stage or other facilities in the house and the building is not recorded on the Theatre Trust database.

Ref.: Rambles Round Kilmarnock
A R Adamson( 1875)
Published by T Stevenson, Kilmarnock Standard

For further information please follow this LINK

For further information about the re-development and to view drawings, please follow this LINK

Top