Say Hello to Lanternhouse

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust launches new venue, new website and Autumn Season 2021

Cumbernauld Theatre Trust is delighted to announce that the organisation will open the doors of its new home, Lanternhouse, this October, with an Autumn Season of theatre, dance, music, comedy and an inclusive programme of creative learning activities.

Located in the heart of Cumbernauld, on the Cumbernauld Academy campus, this state-of-the-art venue houses two performance spaces – a 300-seat auditorium and a studio theatre, a dance studio, an 84-seat cinema, a café/bistro and has a new website: www.lanternhousearts.org.

Announcing the launch of the new venue and Cumbernauld Theatre’s opening season at Lanternhouse, Karen Moore, Chair of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, said:

“Everyone at Cumbernauld Theatre Trust recognises the significance of this new chapter for the company and the opportunities Lanternhouse will provide as part of the Scottish network of producing theatre venues. We are proud to be at the heart of access to culture in Cumbernauld and of our position within the infrastructure of the performing arts in Scotland.  

Since the closure of Cumbernauld’s Cottage Theatre venue in December 2019, the team and Board have worked tirelessly to protect the interests of the company, its staff and audiences towards opening this new performing arts venue in Cumbernauld. As a producing theatre company, we can’t wait to be creating our own in-house theatre productions and co-productions again, presenting the very best drama, music, comedy and dance from visiting artists and welcoming audiences to be part of our exciting future at Lanternhouse.”

Highlights from the 2021 Autumn season include three Cumbernauld Theatre Company productions: Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet directed by Kate Nelson and two brand new and exciting festive productions: Robin Hood, written by Eve Nicol and directed by Fiona Mackinnon, and for the under 5’s, Hibernate from Cumbernauld Theatre Company and Tortoise in a Nutshell.

The opening season at Lanternhouse will also welcome many more performances from visiting companies, to suit all tastes and ages: Kundalini Genie, Big Band Bublé, Waves by Aiice Mary Cooper, Craig Hill – Pumped!, Girls’ Night Oot!, Singin’ I’m no a Billy, He’s a Tim 2, Extremely Pedestrian Chorales, Simply Dylan, De Rosa, Breabach, Rapture Theatre Company, James Grant, Còig and The Homebird Sessions; conversations and concerts with Elaine Lennon and guests featuring Yvonne Lyon and Boo Hewerdine.

Sarah Price, Chief Executive of Cumbernauld Theatre Trust, said:

“Working at the heart of our community we are invested in defining our creativity and culture together, in delivering an arts programme that enhances our life, broadens our perspective and nurtures performance arts skills for a creative, innovative, fairer Scotland.

At Lanternhouse we will offer increased opportunities for artists and creative practitioners, for diverse audiences and activity participants to engage in an inclusive, socially engaged programme of creativity that brings value and makes a lasting impact in improving the lives of people in our community.”

On 2 October, the company will have great pleasure in welcoming invited members of the community through the doors for a one-day celebration and exploration of its new home!

Let The Light In will be a day of exploration, performances and conversations, reintroducing the company and sharing the new venue with our familiar and new audiences. There will be tours and insights around the building, activities for families and little ones, taster sessions from our creative learning programme and a sing-sational performance, co-created and made with incredible local talent!

Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Creative Scotland’s Head of Theatre, said:

“It is with eager anticipation that we reach the opening of this brand-new venue and one which is sure to be a celebratory occasion for Cumbernauld – for the many skilled jobs we hope it will support both on and off stage, and for the varied opportunities we expect it will offer to audiences and creative participants throughout the year.”

Our Take Part programme of creative learning activities will begin in October, led by leading theatre, dance and arts practitioners. There is something for everyone including Youth Theatre and Dance programmes, an Inclusive Drama Studio, Intergenerational Dance Company and Arts and Sensory Play activities.

The Theatre’s programme 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.

Lanternhouse is jointly operated by North Lanarkshire Council and Cumbernauld Theatre Trust.

Robert Steenson, Executive Director of Enterprise and Communities, said:

“North Lanarkshire Council is delighted to be in partnership with Cumbernauld Theatre Trust at Lanternhouse and recognise its value in our Community Hub Development programme.

We are very supportive of this culture-led joint operating model and look forward to being part of the delivery of a creative programme that embraces artistic excellence, community engagement and inclusive participation.”

Tickets for the full programme of live performance and creative learning activities go on sale online at www.lanternhousearts.org and by telephone booking by Box Office: 01236 732887 on Tuesday 17 August at 10.00am.