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Architect's rendering of the new redeveloped exterior of the Citizens Theatre. The building features a new facade with black cladding, neon pink lettering, and a row of statues on the roof.

Our new space

Our Gorbals home is having a makeover

The transformative project marks the first comprehensive redevelopment of the Citizens Theatre in over 140 years as a working theatre. Designed by architects, Bennetts Associates, construction on the new and improved Citizens Theatre started in 2019 and we can’t wait to welcome you back.

The Foyer 

The new foyer space is lighter, brighter and full of exciting areas to explore.

The beautiful blonde sandstone of the original building provides a dramatic historic backdrop to fresh new contemporary surroundings.

Our new bars will offer a range of refreshments and will be the perfect place to meet pre-show or to do some people watching in the Gorbals. 

Visitors can also peek into backstage areas, observe scenic artists at work in the historic paint frame, and explore our rich heritage through new interpretative elements throughout the building. 

The inside of a foyer space. There are two archways leading towards darkness. The archways are surrounded by blonde sandstone.

View photos of our foyer
Construction workers in high visibility vests and hard hats discussing plans inside a building under renovation.
Construction workers in high visibility vests and hard hats discussing plans inside a building under renovation.
Workers in high visibility vests and hard hats discussing plans inside a building under renovation.
The inside of a theatre space which has construction work including exposed floorboards and metal work. A group of people in high visibility vests and hardhats are looking at the space.

View photos of the Main Theatre
The inside of a theatre space which has construction work including exposed floorboards and metal work. A group of people in high visibility vests and hardhats are looking at the space.
Interior of the stage area of a theatre which has exposed metal walkways and brick walls, illuminated by overhead lights.

Main Theatre 

The jewel in our crown, the Main Theatre, will benefit from improved access and sightlines, new wheelchair positions at Circle level for the first time and new seating in the Upper Circle. There is also better ventilation and a new air handling system to keep audiences comfortable. 

A lower stage rake and new fly tower will allow us to present even more ambitious productions and welcome a greater range of visiting companies and shows, including those by disabled artists. 

Studio Theatre 

We have a new multi-purpose 152-seat studio theatre, allowing us to present more performances and champion a new generation of emerging theatre-makers. The Studio will be a flexible black box space and will primarily give opportunities for small-scale touring companies to present their work. We want to support and nurture the companies and artists of the future who make high quality productions that reflect diverse communities and the world we live in. We are also keen to prioritise bold and experimental new work that is made in Glasgow. 

A group of people in high vis and blue hard hats standing inside the new Studio Theatre at the Citizens Theatre building redevelopment.
Construction workers in high visibility vests and hard hats discussing plans inside a building under renovation.

View photos of our rehearsal spaces
A man wearing plastic protective glasses, a blue hard hat and a yellow high visibility vest looks out of a window
Construction workers in high visibility vests and hard hats discussing plans inside a building under renovation.

Rehearsal spaces 

A new purpose-built participation studio will serve not only as a workshop venue but also as a platform for smaller-scale performances and sharings. We are excited to welcome participants back for classes and courses, who will benefit from modern, dynamic, and accessible facilities. Whether you have attended one of our classes or workshops before, or you are looking to try something new for the first time, you will be warmly welcomed into our new space. 

A group of women are standing and wearing light up headphones. One woman in the centre has her arms stretched up into the air.

With thanks to our public funders who share our vision and have made this project possible. 

View a full list of our Supporters.

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Access
A group of women are standing in a circle. They are holding hands, leaning back and looking up towards the ceiling. They are all wearing headphones which are lit up with green lights.

Access

Our transformation
Six people on a tour of the Citizens Theatre building redevelopment. They are dressed in high vis vests and hard hats. They are standing on a balcony with scaffolding around them.

Our transformation

What’s On
There are three people on stage who are all crouched or rolling on the floor. Two more people are draped over a sofa. Red neon lights hang from the ceiling.

What's on