Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline Dunfermline
From its website:
The Alhambra Theatre was built in 1922, and was originally used as a variety theatre before being turned into a cinema. We are sure that many of our audience will have fond memories of the building as a cinema, before it was turned into a bingo hall in 1965. However the B-listed building which houses the fourth largest stage in Scotland, had provided a fabulous platform to famous artists such as Harry Gordon, The Alexander Brothers, The White Heather Group, Andy Stewart and Jimmy Logan amongst others. So, when owners Carlton Bingo moved out of the building to larger premises in 2005, it was transformed back into a theatre by the Linklever Group, fulfilling the original purpose of the venue.
As you can see, the transformation is astonishing, and the theatre is now attracting West End touring productions as well as Scotland’s national companies: a remarkable achievement for a theatre that was basically an empty shell just four years ago!
The restoration was aided by fundraising from the local community. The theatre hosted a series of events entitled “Alhambra Alive” in order to raise the £2m required for refurbishment, and the town came out in force to support these events. The Alhambra truly is a theatre for the people of Dunfermline and beyond, and we hope our Autumn-Winter Programme for 2009-2010 reflects this – we have something for everyone!
