Plea to safeguard oldest theatre

Version 0 of 1.

The Scottish Government is to be asked for funding to help safeguard the immediate future of the country's oldest working theatre.

Operators of the 217-year-old Theatre Royal in Dumfries will make their case to Culture Minister Mike Russell.

They say funds are needed to sustain the building while efforts are made to develop a new performing arts centre.

A fresh bid is currently being made to revamp the theatre after a previous attempt failed due to funding issues.

Master of the theatre's Guild of Players, Sheila Howat, said it was vital for the town that the facility was kept alive.

"We have to continue to offer this to people and that is why we have asked the minister down," she said.

"All we can do is show him what we have got, tell him what we need and tell him what the region needs in terms of arts and culture.

"If we lose any more town centre establishments - theatres, museums, things like that - you lose your identity and we can't afford to do that."