A wealth of famous faces attended the Citizens Theatre Gala Dinner in the West End.
Blythe Duff and Elaine C Smith were among the names at the star-studded event in the Galvanizers Hall at Glasgow’s SWG3.
With more than 300 guests, and hosted by broadcaster Janice Forsyth, the dinner saw the launch of a major fundraising campaign for the theatre.
The night itself raised £70,000 towards the cost of an ambitious programme of redevelopment.
The exciting £19.5 million project will involve work to repair, conserve and transform the much-loved home in the Gorbals.
It will be the most comprehensive redevelopment of the category B listed building in its 139 year history.
Dominic Hill is the artistic director at the Citizens Theatre.
"VISION'
He said: “Our vision is to preserve our past, whilst securing our future.
"This project will create a building which honours and celebrates the remarkable history of this theatre, while remaining a vibrant and vital landmark in our community."
He added: “Our Gala Dinner was a truly wonderful occasion and a fantastic opportunity to raise crucial funds for one of Scotland’s leading cultural institutions.
"We are hoping that the people of Glasgow and beyond will get behind our We Are Citizens campaign.”
The theatre’s ‘We Are Citizens’ campaign seeks to raise the final £1.7 million needed for the building redevelopment.
Guests at the gala event included former Citizens Theatre artistic director Giles Havergal, actor Sanjeev Kohli and actresses Celia Imrie and Fidelis Morgan.
Entertainment was provided by Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross; actors Neshla Caplan and Ryan Fletcher singing songs from The Choir; and a musical performance from students of Royal Conservatoire Scotland.
The theatre project will transform the experiences of audiences, participants and performers and secure the future of one of Scotland’s iconic buildings.
SPACIOUS
Plans include renovating the auditorium; knocking down the front of house building to make way for a spacious new foyer with a bar and café; creating a 152 seat studio and providing extra space for the Citizens Learning activities.
Taggart star Blythe Duff said: “I first appeared on the Citz stage back in 1995 and what has always struck me when I step out on that stage is the intimacy of the auditorium.
"The ability for me to be able to connect with Citizens audiences is very powerful especially in plays such as Ciara, a solo play, and as journalist Gita Sereny in the chilling and shocking Into That Darkness.
"To know that the building will be transformed but still maintain its Victorian roots is very important to me.
"The Citizens Theatre is a key character in Glasgow’s story and that’s why I’m supporting the We Are Citizens campaign.”
Actress and comedian Elaine C Smith, an Ambassador for the Citizens, said: “The Citizens is a theatre that is an integral part of the fabric of this city – artistically and culturally.
"I have appeared on stage at the Citizens Theatre many times over the last 30 years.
"It has to survive and flourish and that’s why I’m supporting the We Are Citizens fundraising campaign.”
The Gala Dinner was supported by Two Fat Ladies at The Buttery.
* For more information go to: http://www.citz.co.uk/support_us/capital_redevelopment/
