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Citizens Theatre
History
The Citizens is a theatre that belonged to the people of Glasgow, which is based on the south side of the city in Gorbals Street.It was set up by a gentleman called James Bridie, in 1943. Bridie was a well-known and leading Scottish dramatist at the time, he is now thought to be one of the founding father of modern Scottish theatre following his involvement with both the establishment of the Citizens' Theatre, and the founding of Scotland's first college of drama, now known as the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
Originally based in the Athenaeum theatre (now the Old Athenaeum), Bridie's Citizens' Company relocated to the Victorian-era Royal Princess's Theatre in the Gorbals in 1945. The theatre was renamed the Citizens' Theatre and the Citizens' Company opened there on September 11, 1945.
During theperiod between the 1970s and the 1990s, the Citizens was associated with plays by Giles Havergal, Philip Prowse and Robert David MacDonald.
Controversy
During the 1970s the Citizens attracted much controversy with its productions and advertising.
In December 1970 councillors called for an end to the £12,000 annual grant the Glasgow Corporation gave annually to the theatre after it was announced that anyone presenting a trade union card on 8th December would be granted free entry to the theatre. This was the first of many arguments between the theatre and the City Council throughout the decade.
The Ghost
The Citizens has many ghosts associated with it. One staff member, trapped in the Upper Circle during a blackout, was led to safety by the distinctive outline of a monk. Customers seated in the Dress Circle during shows in the 1970s often inquired about the costumed "actor" who sat boldly on the balcony and stared back at them. Current staff members have caught glimpses of a "white lady" dressed in Victorian costume and flitting from the Dress Circle bar towards the Circle Studio dressing rooms.
Official Citezens Theatre Site
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Latest page update: made by james73
, Sep 9 2007, 11:29 AM EDT
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