Garrison Theatre

Garrison Theatre is a 280-capacity performing-arts venue in Lerwick, Shetland, Scotland. The building began life in 1903 and has served several civic, military and entertainment functions over more than a century. Its auditorium contains fixed raked seating arranged across 19 rows, from A to S, and its stage has a sprung proscenium configuration suited to drama, dance, comedy, music and pantomime. The venue also includes backstage dressing rooms, a kitchen, showers, a prop room and a workshop. The building’s early history was closely connected with military and community use. During the First World War it functioned as a drill hall and gymnasium, and it served as the headquarters of the 7th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders. In 1942, during the Second World War, the building was converted into a theatre by the Entertainments National Service Association, commonly known as ENSA, so that it could provide entertainment for troops. This wartime conversion established the theatrical role that the building retains today. During the 1950s and 1960s, the theatre was owned by Zetland County Council. The council later decided to repair and refurbish the venue in 1989. Programming at that stage involved the Islesburgh Drama Group and an Entertainments Committee, reflecting the theatre’s role as a community-led cultural institution rather than solely a commercial touring venue. Ownership subsequently moved to the Islesburgh Trust, before management came under Shetland Arts in April 2007. The venue has hosted a broad range of performances, including drama, dance, stand-up comedy, pantomime and music. The award-winning amateur Isleburgh Drama Group has regularly presented plays there. Garrison Theatre also operated as a local film-screening venue for many years, but regular cinema activity declined after the purpose-built Mareel cinema opened in Lerwick in 2012. Its continuing identity is therefore primarily associated with live performance and community theatre. Performers associated with the venue or its Lerwick appearances include George Formby and Gracie Fields, who visited Shetland in 1943, Elvis Costello in 1988, Billy Connolly in 1994 and Dylan Moran in 2008. In 2017, the Friends of the Garrison committee was established to help protect the theatre’s place in the local community. The theatre remains a distinctive Shetland cultural venue, combining a historic building, amateur and professional programming, and a compact technical environment designed for live performance.

Garrison Theatre occupies a historic building in Lerwick, Shetland, whose documented life began in 1903. It was initially associated with civic and military functions rather than purpose-built theatrical activity. During the First World War, the building was used as a drill hall and gymnasium. It also served as the headquarters of the 7th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders, linking the site to the military organization and public life of Shetland during the period. The building acquired a more explicit entertainment function during the Second World War. In 1942, ENSA converted it into a theatre to provide performances for troops. This wartime adaptation established the proscenium-stage format that continues to define the venue. The building’s later programming broadened beyond military entertainment to encompass local drama, touring shows, music and comedy. In the 1950s and 1960s, Zetland County Council owned the theatre. Public-sector ownership made the venue part of the local cultural infrastructure, while community groups and local committees contributed to its operation and programming. In 1989, the council decided to repair and refurbish the theatre. Following that work, programming was associated with the Islesburgh Drama Group and an Entertainments Committee, giving amateur theatre a prominent role in the building’s identity. Ownership later transferred to the Islesburgh Trust. In April 2007, management moved under Shetland Arts, placing the theatre within the island’s wider arts-management structure. The venue continued to host a mixture of local and touring entertainment. The Isleburgh Drama Group, described as an award-winning amateur dramatic group, has regularly performed plays at the theatre. Other programming has included dance, drama, stand-up comedy, pantomime and music. Garrison Theatre also functioned as a cinema before Lerwick’s purpose-built Mareel opened in 2012. The opening of Mareel reduced the need for regular film screenings at Garrison Theatre, and the older venue’s role became more closely focused on live performance. Its history nevertheless remains connected to both theatrical and cinematic exhibition. The theatre has welcomed notable performers and touring acts across different periods. George Formby and Gracie Fields both visited Shetland in 1943. Later appearances associated with the venue include Elvis Costello in 1988, Billy Connolly in 1994 and Dylan Moran in 2008. These visits illustrate the theatre’s ability to accommodate nationally recognized performers within a small-island cultural setting. In 2017, the Friends of the Garrison committee was established to protect the theatre’s place in the community. The initiative reflected the continuing importance of the building beyond its commercial programming: it is also a historic civic space and a platform for local participation. With a 280-seat auditorium, fixed raked seating, a sprung proscenium stage and modest but functional backstage facilities, Garrison Theatre remains a compact, adaptable venue for Shetland’s performing-arts life.

• 2017

  Friends of the Garrison established

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The Friends of the Garrison committee was established to support and protect the theatre’s community role.

• 2012

  Mareel opens

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The opening of the purpose-built Mareel cinema in Lerwick brought regular film screenings at Garrison Theatre to an end or substantially reduced them.

• 2007

  Shetland Arts management begins

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Management of the theatre came under Shetland Arts in April 2007.

• 1989

  Repair and refurbishment decision

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Zetland County Council decided to repair and refurbish the theatre.

• 1942

  Conversion into a theatre

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  ENSA converted the building into a theatre for entertainment provided to troops during the Second World War.

• 1914

  First World War drill-hall use

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  During the First World War, the building was used as a drill hall and gymnasium and served as headquarters of the 7th Volunteer Battalion Gordon Highlanders.

• 1903

  Building opened

  [1]Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The building that later became Garrison Theatre opened in Lerwick.

A historic community performing-arts venue serving Lerwick and the Shetland Islands.

• Performing arts

  Live theatre

  The venue presents staged drama in a compact proscenium auditorium with fixed raked seating. Local amateur productions, particularly those associated with the Isleburgh Drama Group, form an important part of its programming, alongside other theatrical events.

• Performing arts

  Dance and pantomime

  Garrison Theatre accommodates dance productions and pantomimes, using its sprung stage and overhead lighting infrastructure for movement-based and visually staged performances. These formats contribute to the venue’s family, community and seasonal programming.

• Live entertainment

  Comedy and music performances

  The theatre hosts stand-up comedy and music events, ranging from local productions to appearances by touring performers. Its history includes visits by performers such as Billy Connolly, Dylan Moran and Elvis Costello.

• Cinema

  Film screenings

  The building formerly hosted regular cinema screenings. This function became less central after the purpose-built Mareel cinema opened in Lerwick in 2012.

• 2012

  Shift away from regular cinema screeningsStrategy

  Background

  Garrison Theatre had historically hosted regular film screenings, but Lerwick gained a purpose-built cinema with the opening of Mareel.

  Action taken

  Regular cinema activity at Garrison Theatre was reduced or discontinued as Mareel assumed the dedicated cinema role.

  Aftermath

  Garrison Theatre’s identity became more focused on live theatre, dance, comedy, pantomime and music.

  Source

• 2007

  Transfer to Shetland Arts managementStrategy

  Background

  After a period associated with the Islesburgh Trust, the theatre required a new management arrangement within Shetland’s cultural infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Management transferred to Shetland Arts in April 2007.

  Aftermath

  The theatre became part of the wider Shetland Arts management structure while continuing to host live performance and community programming.

  Source

• 1989

  Repair and refurbishment of the theatreStrategy

  Background

  Zetland County Council owned the theatre during the 1950s and 1960s and later determined that the building required repair and refurbishment.

  Action taken

  The council decided to repair and refurbish the theatre in 1989.

  Aftermath

  The venue continued to operate as a community-oriented performance space, with programming associated with the Islesburgh Drama Group and an Entertainments Committee.

  Source

1. 1Garrison Theatreen.wikipedia.org