Alston Street Theatre plaque

At the top of the escalotor from Glasgow Central Low Level station, at the Argyle Street level. The plaque reads as follows... "ALSTON STREET THEATRE 1764-1780 This theatre, described in Gibson's History of Glasgow as a plain building quite undecorated, was built in 1764 in Grahamstown which was then outside the city because the authorities in Glasgow considered all theatre to be immoral. The money for the building was subscribed by four rich citizens to display the talents of the actress Mrs Bellamy whom they had admired in Edinburgh. Unfortunately, on the day she arrived a mob of the unco-guid, their zeal inflamed by a Methodist preacher, set fire to the building and destroyed the stage, costumes and props. The "Fashion" of Glasgow rallied round and replaced Mrs Bellamy's wardrobe and she performed as promised. The theatre was repaired and was in use until 1780 when it was again burned down.".

  © Copyright Thomas Nugent and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence .

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