Cowgatehead, Traverse Theatre Entrance & West Bow Well

Category

Library Item

Item no

27518

Title

Cowgatehead, showing Traverse Theatre entrance and West Bow well

Artist / maker

McGarry, Paul

Date

1992

Size

17.8 x 23.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Picture has written on back - West Bow no's 108-118 with sideview of Greyfriars Hotel and Cowgatehead including Traverse Theatre entrance and West Bow well.
The original Traverse Theatre building was in the Lawnmarket, and although much loved by many (and hated by a few), could not be said to be an ideal space. By 1968 the owner, Tom Mitchell had agreed to renovate the building, sweetened by an Arts Council capital grant. The survey report was alarming however. It stated the floors were unsafe, and the premises were unfit for its purpose of a theatre and club.
The Traverse Committee acted quickly and by March 1969 a new property had been found at 112 West Bow, in the Grassmarket. This was an old warehouse and sailmaker's loft. The owner was prepared to help with conversion costs, so it was decided to go ahead and prepare the new theatre for the Festival of August that year.
A theatre with flexible seating for 120 was created on the third floor of the premises, with a bar, box office, dressing rooms and other facilities on the second floor. The cost came to £19,000: £11,000 from Dr Butterworth the owner, £3,000 from the Scottish Arts Council for lighting and sound equipment, and £5,000 raised through an appeal. Gaining a performance licence by the skin of its teeth, the new theatre was opened by Jennie Lee, Minister for the Arts, on 24 August, 1969. The Traverse Theatre remained in the Grassmarket, until it moved to the current purpose-built building on Cambridge Street in 1992.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Wellheads

Homes > Residential buildings > Tenements

Places > Edinburgh areas > Grassmarket

Places > Edinburgh Landmarks > Traverse Theatre

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Culture > Theatres

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Cowgatehead, Traverse Theatre entrance & West Bow well