The need for a mid-scale theatre venue in Aberdeen has been long recognised by the Scottish Arts Council, Aberdeen City Council and especially the citizens of Aberdeen City and Shire.
Aberdeen is presently missing out on a great deal of touring drama, music, dance, comedy and variety productions that are not coming to the City because of the lack of a mid-scale, financially viable venue.
The Tivoli ceased to function as a Bingo Hall in 1997. The Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust and its trustees were established in 1999 with the backing of the major arts organisations in Aberdeen. The trust's aim was, and remains, to seek the re-opening of the historic Tivoli theatre as a mid-scale theatrical and music venue for Aberdeen and the North East of Scotland.
When it seemed there was little or no prospect of a commercial operator re-opening the Tivoli as a working theatre, the Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust began attempts on behalf of the major arts organisations in Aberdeen to obtain funding to purchase and renovate the building.
Negotiations began with the then owner of the Tivoli. By 2007, despite years of delays and problems which were outwith the control of the trust, we were in a position to move forward. An application was lodged with the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland in order to obtain funding to undertake essential surveys to ascertain the physical condition of the building, and also to identify the potential audience and funding streams. In August 2007 we were awarded a £49.5K grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Work began on the Audience Development, Conservation Management Plans and the Digital Measurement Survey of the Tivoli, and was later completed.
The Tivoli Business Plan included use by professional touring theatre, music and dance companies, and local non-professional companies. The plan also envisaged the Tivoli acting as a base for the development and performance of the music and drama unique to the North East of Scotland. The aim was for the Tivoli to be a theatre for the community, with special emphasis on activities for young people, run as a charitable trust.
In 2009 the trust were at an advanced stage of negotiating the purchase of the Tivoli, when the owner Mr Tony Donald informed us he had instead sold the building to Mr Brian Hendry.
The Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust are understandably disappointed that years of work and enthusiastic public support for our plans came to nothing. We nevertheless welcome Mr Brian Hendry's stated intention of opening the Tivoli again as a working theatrical venue.
The Aberdeen Tivoli Theatre Trust, who are registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, have not changed their basic aim of seeking to see the historic Tivoli re-opened as a working theatre. We continue to monitor the current owner's plans for the Tivoli with great interest.
