Beginning Our Journey Towards Repair & Building Restoration

After a year of dedicated effort, our current phase of remedial work is complete with more to come as we continue our mission to rejuvenate this historic venue

OUR GOAL?

to provide opportunities for a vibrant future for this cultural hub & to stabilise the building’s health

To support our fundraising efforts and enable comprehensive business planning, we are dedicated to preserving the long-term health of the building. This commitment will bring a fully functioning organisation back to the community and restore the venue back to the city. A thorough building health check is essential to safeguard the structure’s longevity and ensure due diligence.

Join us on this journey looking back on the last year, as we address water ingress and safety needs, partnering with key experts like MacFadyen Preservation and Brecks Roofing. Each step forward not only prevents further decay but brings repairs, increases knowledge, uncovers architectural treasures and provides surprising creative opportunities…

Creative Spotlight

Finding creative opportunities was never difficult in a building with such charm and character and right from the start we knew we had to capture the moment we took down the organ installation that was installed when Hidden Door had their first festival at Leith Theatre in 2017.  

Look back on the pivotal moment of removing the organ bar at Leith Theatre to witness the fusion of history, craftsmanship and progress.

Watch the video to hear more about the organ bar’s origin story and witness its final moments as part of investigative and remedial works before its upcycled next life.

Filmed July 2023

delve into our timeline below to trace the year-long journey of dedicated work and Explore our project highlights to witness the process firsthand

Building Work Timeline
from April 2023 - 2024

  • April 23

    Scaffolding rises on the East side, marking the beginning of crucial roofing inspections and planning repairs with James Breck to work towards a watertight building.

  • May 23

    Investigations kick off to evaluate damaged plasterwork on the Main Auditorium's ground floor wall. Dust flies as plaster is peeled back to reveal the original brick.

  • August

    June 23

    Progress ascends as work starts in the gods and balcony, including the first window archway. Years of decay give way to new timber and wire framing, revitalising this once-unsafe area.

  • July 23

    A month dedicated to clearing out debris and managing the production line of waste removal, preparing for the next phase of building works. Skip filling and deep cleaning sets the stage for renewed progress.

  • August 2023

    The rear ground floor corridor undergoes a transformation, with rotten beams and archways removed then replaced, and steel girders protected from corrosion. 200m² of aged plaster bid farewell, revealing the sturdy brick beneath.

  • September 23

    Roofing repairs pave the way for internal investigations and remedial works on the main auditorium stage. Working at height presents its challenges, but the show must go on!

  • October 23

    Attention turns to the window above the front loggia, where wet timber and falling plaster signal years of decay. With plaster removed, the rotten timber frames are clearly visible.

  • November 23

    UK Rigging removed 3.5 tonnes of timber and metal work from high above the stage and installed a new grid to offer safe high-level access. The work also provides additional anchor points for future productions.

  • December 23

    Months of inspections and interventions culminate in the replacement of cornicing and skirting boards, breathing new life into the building's aesthetic. Slowly but surely, we are making good.

  • January 24

    Building on progress throughout the previous year, January brings a comprehensive fire safety system, ensuring essential building protection and customer health and safety.

  • February 24

    With targeted work in the Main Auditorium nearing completion, attention shifts to other areas of the building. Backstage, this is the Female Chorus room after old, now powdered plaster has been removed and replaced.

  • March 24

    As warmer weather arrives, focus turns to the venue's presentation. The garden is groomed in anticipation of upcoming events, signalling a brief return to creative programming.

  • April 24

    After a full year of building investigations and surveys, April saw fresh paint breathe new life into the Female Chorus room post-replastering.

Project Highlights

  • Explore the beginning of the Main Auditorium’s journey, starting from the area where our remedial works began in May 2023.

    Read here.

  • After extensive repairs starting in 2023, the once hidden and deteriorating rear ground corridor of the Main Auditorium was transformed by February 2024 into a stable and beautiful passage.

    Read here.

  • Discover the meticulous repair journey of the Main Auditorium's rear bar, where the cherished Organ Bar once lived.

    Read here.

  • Repairs to the Main Stage's damaged left side and rear corner, including roofing and replacing doorframes, have set the stage for future improvements.

    Read here.

  • In collaboration with UK Rigging, Leith Theatre successfully upgraded their original stage grid system to a state-of-the-art, safety-certified structure, ensuring future-proofing and enhanced safety for performers and crew.

    Read here.

  • The Female Chorus Room, once vibrant but hidden in decay, has been meticulously restored to its former glory with new plasterwork, refitted pipes, and a refreshed dark green aesthetic, ready to host events and BBC1's The Bidding Room.

    Read here.

  • Explore the thriving garden at Thomas Morton Hall, a welcoming space where nature and community come together.

    Read here.

Please stay tuned for more updates.