Theatre shut for seven-year redevelopment unveils programme ahead of reopening
A theatre which has been closed for redevelopment since 2018 has begun unveiling its programme ahead of its reopening in September.
Productions including The Glass Menagerie and Beauty And The Beast are among those audiences can see at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow later this year.
As previously announced, the theatre will reopen with Small Acts Of Love, a play about the bonds formed between families in the UK and the US in the wake of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.
It is a new theatrical and musical collaboration between playwright Frances Poet and composer Ricky Ross, of Deacon Blue, and has been developed with support from those affected by the Pan Am 103 atrocity in December 1988.
The Citizens Theatre moved out of its historic home in the Gorbals in June 2018, ahead of the first major redevelopment of the Category B listed building since it began life as a working theatre in 1878.
Theatre chiefs said the redevelopment has brought the building into the 21st century while carefully preserving its unique Victorian heritage.
Dominic Hill, artistic director of the Citizens Theatre, said: 'This is a very special moment as we start to unveil an exciting programme of shows and opportunities in the new theatre – for the first time in seven years.
'The first few months of programming reflects our commitment to both innovation and tradition, with more to be announced over the coming months.
'While the Citz has always celebrated the great works of drama from the past, the new theatre must look forward too and we've been working hard to develop new plays that showcase the talent of writers and artists working in Scotland.
'These new works embody the spirit of what this theatre has always stood for – creativity, community, and a deep connection to the city of Glasgow.
'I can't wait for audiences old and new, local and global, to experience these brilliant productions in a transformed Citizens Theatre, that will inspire audiences and great storytelling.'
The theatre now has new accessible rehearsal, participation and studio spaces and a newly designed 150-seat Studio Theatre.
Productions taking place in the autumn include Douglas Maxwell's comedy So Young, set in Glasgow, which explores mid-life meltdowns, grief and love.
A new production of the Tennessee Williams drama The Glass Menagerie, presented by Dundee Rep Theatre in association with the Citizens Theatre, will visit in October.
Later in the year audiences can look forward to the return of the Citizens' Christmas show, with a new, specially commissioned festive production of Beauty And The Beast.
The Studio Theatre will host The Gift, for younger visitors aged 18 months to five years, as part of the festive programme.
Tickets for the first shows will go on general sale from the end of March.
Ahead of the reopening in September, local people will be invited into the theatre as part of a homecoming festival, with readings, exhibitions, tours and workshops celebrating the theatre's past, present and future.
The theatre said its longstanding commitment to its neighbours in the Gorbals will continue through a new Gorbals Pass giving access to tickets for just £5 for locals with a G5 postcode.
A new and expanded Participate programme will also be launched in the coming months, offering opportunities to theatre-makers from all communities, especially those traditionally marginalised.
Catrin Evans, Participate director at Citizens Theatre, said: 'The reopening of the theatre is about offering a place of possibility and inspiring artistic expression for all.
'Our Participate programme has always been at the heart of the Citizens Theatre, and the new spaces and programme we can offer for creative engagement are a testament to that commitment.'
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Ms Menon, who teaches at the Mackintosh School of Architecture at Glasgow School of Art, had previously published Fragments of Glasgow, a book exploring the city's architectural heritage, which focused mainly on Victorian-era buildings. She told The Herald: 'I wanted to follow that up with another book capturing a more holistic view of Glasgow as a 21st century city as it has changed dramatically over the last 25 years. "There has been a lot of investment in the re-use of historic buildings and a lot of new-build developments, particularly over the last decade. The new photography book Glasgow From Above explores the modern-day transformation of Glasgow. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'I thought the best way to capture that would be with aerial photography. I follow quite a few drone photographers on Instagram, which is where I came across Alistair. 'I could see from the images that he was posting that he was involved in the construction industry. 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The impact of Glasgow's designation as a UNESCO City of Music in 2008, the opening of the Hydro arena in 2013, the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the 2008 financial crisis and the Covid pandemic, which forced the city into lockdown into 2020, are all highlighted. Writing in the book, Ms Menon says: 'The completion of the first quarter of the 21st century seems a good point to take stock of Glasgow and reflect upon the significant sociopolitical events in the last 25 years which have impacted the city and its investments. 'Having decisively moved away from its industrial and manufacturing roots, Glasgow rebranded itself as a city open to investment and innovation. The 21st century transformation of Glasgow is explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) 'Key sectors such as media, the creative industries and higher education were central to this strategic repositioning. 'One of the city's primary objectives became the repopulation of its urban core. With that came a notable rise in social and cultural diversity, reinforcing Glasgow's identity as a modern, inclusive city. 'Many of the city's disused industrial buildings found new life as galleries, studios and performance spaces, symbolising the broader cultural regeneration taking place.' The changes in the Candleriggs area are explored. (Image: Alistair Leith) Glasgow From Above examines the impact of new developments in the Gorbals, Sighthill, Maryhill, Laurieston and Govan, the transformation of the Merchant City, Charing Cross, Candleriggs, the Broomielaw and Finnieston, and debates over the future of Sauchiehall Street and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre. Also featured are the conversion of religious buildings into cultural venues like Cottiers and Oran Mor, new bridges connecting Finnieston with Govan, Partick with Govan, and Sighthill with the centre, and new office developments for the likes of Barclays, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. The book explores the key role played by the city's universities and colleges in shaping 21st century Glasgow, including the evolution of a 'knowledge quarter' near Glasgow Cathedral and George Square. The Hydro and the Armadillo are among the venues featured. (Image: Alistair Leith) Ms Menon writes: 'New biomedical and technological research centres, alongside a growing ecosystem of university spin-outs – particularly from Strathclyde and Glasgow universities – have helped establish Glasgow as a leading player in the knowledge economy. 'The expansion of the higher education sector has brought profound changes to Glasgow's social dynamics, most notably through the influx of a large international student population. To accommodate this growth, institutions invested heavily in new research centres, teaching facilities and infrastructure – contributions that not only supported academic excellence but also injected substantial capital into the local economy. 'Accompanying this academic expansion was a rapid surge in demand for student accommodation. The city's skyline has been increasingly defined by high-density, purpose-built student housing developments, which have become a hallmark of 21st century Glasgow.' Glasgow's transformation is celebrated in the new book. (Image: Alistair Leith) The book, which features images of vast construction sites, describes Glasgow as 'a city in flux' and constantly evolving 'heal the scars of its post-industrial past.' Ms Menon said: 'We talk in the book about Glasgow being a 'work in progress and the phrase that got banded about for many years, that Glasgow would be 'great when it is finished.' That is still applicable to elements of the city. 'There is a lot of criticism of Glasgow at the moment, especially around Sauchiehall Street. 'It marketed itself for a long time as a retail destination, but the retail sector was really significantly hit by Covid and the industry going online. 'That has coincided with the Avenues programme in the city centre, which has gone at quite a slow pace and has meant that some people just see disruption. 'One of the aims of the book is to show Glasgow in a new light. 'It doesn't try to be a glossy marketing thing. But I think it really lifts Glasgow, not just in terms of the city centre, but in the way it acknowledges the investment that has gone into residential neighbourhoods like Dalmarnock, Sighthill, Laurieston and the Gorbals. 'One of the key elements of the book is how it looks at the new routes and connections that have recently been created in the city. The drone photography can really identify where these have been made, and how communities and regenerated area are now connected to the city centre.' Read more: Glasgow From Above is optimistic about the impact of a new 'tall building' policy which could see skyscrapers emerge from areas like Charing Cross, Anderston Quay, the Trongate and Cowcaddens. Ms Menon said: 'From an economic point of view, tall buildings have to happen to make a lot of sites work. I would rather see that happening than sites lying empty or derelict for long periods of time. 'It is probably better that they are clustered in particular areas of the city, rather than take an interspersed approach which might potentially block existing vistas or be to the detriment of the skyline. I would generally see them as a positive thing. Mr Leith said: 'Glasgow needs to change. The very worst thing would be to have big, empty gap sites in the city for the next 20 years. It would be an absolute tragedy. 'It wouldn't do Glasgow any good and it wouldn't do the people of Glasgow any good.' It is hoped that the book will persuade Glaswegians to venture into parts of the city they have never previously visited. Ms Menon added: 'I think we tend to live and work in our own little bubbles, and commute using the same routes. 'People may have preconceptions about places, but when they visit they will see that there are hidden gems there.'
