Leith Theatre at 94 – An Inspiring Open Day

Today was the open day at Leith Theatre, celebrating its 94th birthday. It was wonderful to see so many local people turning out to explore this remarkable building and learn about its history and future.

Although this much-loved theatre has stood largely unused since its close in 1988, the vision for its revival is inspiring. The Leith Theatre Trust has already secured £4.5 million towards its restoration, but a further £5.5 million is still needed to complete the project.

One of the highlights of the day was an excellent presentation by Steven Coulson of Holmes Miller, who shared the theatre's fascinating history and the inspiring plans for its future. The enthusiasm in the audience showed just how much this building still means to the local community.

As an acoustic consultant specialising in performing arts and entertainment venues—and with my office only about two miles away—I naturally have a keen interest in projects like this. Leith Theatre has wonderful architectural character and all the ingredients needed to become a thriving music and performance venue once again. It deserves to be filled with audiences rather than sitting silent.

Outside the theatre is a small garden containing the remarkable Leith History Mural. Holmes Miller's plans include opening up this space by removing the existing fences so that it becomes an integral part of the theatre's entrance—a simple but powerful idea that will create a much stronger connection between the building and the public realm.

Painted in 1986 by Tim Chalk and Paul Grime in collaboration with the Leith Local History Project, the mural celebrates the people, industries and maritime heritage that shaped Leith. It weaves together scenes of dockland life, shipbuilding, industrial workers, the dockyard strikes, the Leith Hospital Gala, everyday community life and notable local figures into a vivid celebration of the town's rich history and identity. Nearly forty years of exposure to the Scottish weather have inevitably taken their toll. Parts of the mural have faded, and the surrounding public space no longer reflects the importance of this remarkable piece of community art.

Inspired by today's visit and the exciting plans to bring Leith Theatre back to life, I spent a little time using AI to explore a few "what if?" ideas. The below are the photographs I took during the open day and my own conceptual visualisations with the assistence of Gemini.

For the plaza, I imagined the mural carefully restored and extended to ground level, the chimney pots transformed into sculptural tributes to Leith's workers, a bronze whisky cooper stepping out of the mural into three dimensions, and the space becoming a welcoming place where visitors might pause, meet friends and take photographs.

Today's View - Leith History Mural Garden

My AI Concept - Leith History Mural Garden

For the theatre interior, I imagined the existing glazed ceiling and side windows transformed into stained glass celebrating Leith's industrial and maritime heritage, echoing the themes of the mural outside, while the auditorium once again comes alive with music, theatre and full audiences.

Today's View - The Main Auditorium

My AI Concept - The Main Auditorium

They are not design proposals, but simply creative sketches exploring how the theatre and its surroundings might celebrate Leith's heritage and create an even more welcoming destination for the community.

I sincerely hope the Leith Theatre Trust succeeds in securing the remaining funding and that Holmes Miller can bring this remarkable theatre back to life. Leith has an extraordinary history, and this building deserves to play an equally important role in its future.