End note: I came across a web site dedicated to Scottish Theatres and Cinemas and which includes some photographs of the interior of the Tivoli as it is today. The photos were taken by a member of the public who attended one of
the annual 'Open Doors Days Days' when organised tours are given of buildings usually closed to the public. The photographs are not very sharp, no doubt due to the available light and a handheld camera but they give a
fascinating insight to the present day situation with the theatre. While I enjoyed seeing all the pictures, one in particular, far right , on the second last line, is of interest to me as it shows the Stage Lighting Control Panel still in situ,
which I am sure you will recognise from the first two pictures of this web site, of myself on the platform. I feared that it may have been dismantled. However, it controlled both the stage and the 'house' lights and probably is stil
l required for present use and, maybe even it's future use, albeit there are more modern electronic and digital systems today that could do the job more easily and economically, but the control panel is every bit as historic as the theatre
and deserves to continue playing it's part, if only as a static display.
Another picture that tells a story is the interior shot far right on the top line. It shows the newer 'Lime Box' at the back of the 'Gods' (Gallery). This was built in the 40's and I remember it being in different stages of construction.
However, you can see two 'windows' cut out on the proscenium, a little apart from each other ... this was the original 'lime Box' if you could call it that. One of the Lime workers, the late John Lynch, lodged with us during the 50's and he
told us stories about working in the 'Limes' You virtually had to lye down to operate them and the side-to-side movement was so narrow that the carbon arc would hit the sides and restrict how far you could point or spread the light.
Being carbon arc usage the fumes too were quite bad at times. I had a look inside the 'room' during one of our closure periods and it was really no more than the space between the gallery floor and the 'circle' roof. As John was over 6
foot tall it must have been quite a squeeze. I can recall watching what was going on there during a show and when you consider they had to rotate coloured wheels and add colour filters etc, they must have had their work well cut out
for them. The new box was more like a small projection room at a cinema.
My brother, Alex, who lives in Dundee told me that he was in town during that open day and sure enough I found him in the photo centre on the top line. Alex is the chap in the blue jacket in mid-rear centre. I don't recognise the chap
on his right, so they may have just got talking at the time. Surprising what you find on the internet!
The photos of the 'Fly's' area also brought back some memories. When all the backcloths were hanging from their fittings, you got the smell of heavy rope and the thick wooden railings which made if feel as if you were on a ship. It was
the darkness and creaking of the ropes and woodwork, during the time when I was acting as caretaker and on my own, you could easily image that there was indeed a theatre ghost! This area was never as bright as it is in these
photographs.
Update: June 2006.
Until I read a report in the Press & Journal of a statement by an Aberdeen Councillor that they were planning a new entertainment venue in the centre of the City and were turning their backs (financially) on the Tivoli, I had thought that
the Council were interested in keeping the theatre going, but it seems that this now lies solely in the hands of the Tivoli Steering Group and it will be up to their efforts to see that the Tivoli reopens as a Variety Theatre once again, or not
, if their plans or willpower and enthusiasm fail. Therefore, at the time of writing the future of the theatre is still very much in the balance and the building is crying out for a voice and assitance before it is too late. If up to the Council it
will be left to rot away. It would be very sad to loose yet another grand old building and source for live entertainment that would be open to numerous local groups who can't afford the other stage venues in the City. The Steering Group
will require a lot of assistance, especially in the way of voluntery work to bring the building up to public standards once again and to build up a finance to afford the work.
If you think that 'Variety' is dead, then have a look at the page in the Scottish Music Hall & Variety Theatre Society web site, in reference to The Grand, another 'Frank Matcham' theatre, in Blackpool, that has recently been fully
refurbished and brought back to life. A fine example of what could be done for the Tivoli and of which Aberddonians could be proud of having in their City. Note too the well-known artists who are still involved in the live theatre and the
decendants of late artists who carry on the great traditions. There would be no lack of artists to appear at the Tivoli.
Update: August 2006.
Edie Swan, leader of the Tivoli Steering Group announced that they had found the finances to purchase the Theatre, which will allow them to apply for various grants from the EEC and the National Lottery. This is the good news that
everyone has been waiting for as it not only tells us that the Tivoli WILL reopen, but puts a real deadline for the reopening of the Tivoli. Edie also gave an estimate time scale of 5-6 years for the reopening. We have something definite
to look forward to at last and I wish the Steering Group every success to a speedy reopening.
http://www.freewebs.com/scottishmusichallsociety/eventsarticles.htm
This also proves that there are plenty of acts, old and young, who will fill the bill and provide excellent entertainment.
Watch out for the 2006 'Open Doors Day', when the Tivoli will be open, with live shows and guided tours. This is on Saturday 9th of September. Go along and enjoy yourself and talk to the staff and learn what is going on, and maybe
even offer your services and help this dream to come true much sooner. The Steering Group web site is at:
http://www.aberdeentivoli.net
Tivoli interior:
http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/~gbarr/cinemas/scotland/aberdeen/tivoli/
Another fantastic web site dedicated to U.K. Theatres and Cinemas can be found at:
http://www.survivingcinemas.org.uk/index2.html
There is an excellent section on Aberdeen theatres and cinemas, open, closed and demolished.
Any additional information would be most welcome. reidcrcwdr@aol.com