Final day to donate to help heat 'semi-derelict' Leith Theatre

Leith Theatre on Ferry Road has raised over £16,000 through crowdfunding to help heat the semi-derelict building through the winter while the doors are closed as a result of the pandemic.

The Main Auditorium in Leith Theatre

The theatre was gifted to the people of Leith almost 100-years ago and this is the third instance where it has had to close for a prolonged period of time.

During the closures the building has rapidly deteriorated and to prevent that happening this time around staff have been raising money to help pay the cost of heating the Main Auditorium. The heat will help to dry out the damp and protect the 1930s plasterwork.

The Crowdfunder was started two months ago and ends today, Thursday, December 17, at 5pm.

Damage caused by damp in the Theatre

Lynn Morrison, Executive Director of Leith Theatre, told the Evening News: "It is semi-derelict, and an incredibly challenging space to work in and operate in, regardless of covid.

"We were aware of lots of organisations starting to crowdfund and fundraise to survive but we wanted to support the community as well because that’s where the heart of the value lies for us.

“We thought long and hard about what shape our crowdfunder would take, it feels much bigger than just some cast iron radiators.”

Donation rewards are offered on the crowdfunding page ranging from printed cards with images of the theatre, commissioned especially for this campaign, to a professional print of an artist's rendering of the theatre, again made specifically for this campaign. Ms Morrison continued: “I've been really astonished by the support. Even people who haven't been able to donate money have sent us lovely messages of support, so many people have commented sharing their memories and that’s a big part of building our future, remembering what we can bring to the people.

The Main Auditorium in Leith Theatre

“We’re really, really thrilled.”

A third of all funds raised will be donated and split between three local charities that support homeless people in Edinburgh: Steps to Hope, Four Square and Turning Point Scotland. Ms Morrison said that the theatre is committed to supporting local causes and thinks that knowing some of the funds are going to these charities encourages more people to donate.

She said: “People aren’t just supporting the theatre, the framework of being able to support these charities and causes has been such an important part of people’s giving. “Community is at the heart of Leith”

The venue has been semi-derelict and working as a ‘pop-up’ since 2017, moving from one individual temporary license to the next ‘to try and make a space where people can enjoy amazing live performances.’

If you want to support the theatre in general rather than specifically donating to their Big Radiator Generator crowdfunder, you can do so via their Just Giving page here.

Over its lifetime the theatre has hosted huge names in music including Thin Lizzy, AC/DC and The Wombles. In recent years beloved Scottish performers have graced the stage such as Jarvis Cocker and Teenage Fanclub.

Ms Morrison added finally: “Leith is an area that is regenerating. We’ve got a legacy, we’ve been here for 100-years and part of that is having to adapt to the changes, it feels even more important for us now to save the theatre for its next life.”

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