Jamie Hepburn MSP visits Lanternhouse

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust welcomed Jamie Hepburn MSP into Lanternhouse this week to meet the team and to be shown around Cumbernauld’s new performing arts venue.

The MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth was accompanied on a tour of the building and its state-of-the-art facilities by Sarah Price, CEO of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, Alex Linkston, Cumbernauld Theatre Trust Board Member, Councillor Alan Masterton and members of the Cumbernauld Theatre team. 

Located in the heart of Cumbernauld, on the Cumbernauld Academy campus, Lanternhouse houses two performance spaces – a 300-seat auditorium and a studio theatre and a dance studio. An 84-seat cinema and café/bistro will be opening later this year. 

Jamie Hepburn MSP said: “It was great to visit and see the new Lanternhouse facility which will clearly be a game-changer for Cumbernauld Theatre and the arts sector locally. I’m sure Cumbernauld residents will be thrilled to see this new venue in action and also look forward to using the cinema facility there too. This is testament to the work and vision of Cumbernauld Theatre and their partners and I’m sure it will be a great success.” 

Lanternhouse opened its doors to the public in October this year with an Autumn Season of theatre, dance, music, comedy and an inclusive programme of creative learning activities. 

Sarah Price, Chief Executive of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, said: “The launch of Lanternhouse this month has been a fantastic success and, despite set-backs from Covid-19, our community has been so generous in their support, eager to get involved, keen to take part in our programme and to lead activities. Lanternhouse already feels like the community’s cultural home, and we are so thankful for the support we have had to bring this facility to our audiences. We are eager to engage and work alongside the community to deliver a vibrant, inclusive and relevant cultural programme for everyone.” 

The Theatre’s programme also includes a number of socially engaged arts projects, some already underway and many planned to increase access to a variety of artistic activities including photography, contemporary dance and creative writing, led by professional artists. 

Photo from left to right: Sarah Price, CEO of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, Alex Linkston, Cumbernauld Theatre Trust Board Member (seated in row behind), and Jamie Hepburn MSP

Photo: Greg Macvean