The Barony Theatre, Borrowstoun Road, Bo'ness, Scotland

Formerly - The Borrowstoun School

Above - A Google StreetView Image showing the Barony Theatre, Bo'ness in April 2023 - Click to Interact.

Josephine Turnbull, the 'driving force' behind the Barony Theatre - From the Linlithgowshire Gazette, 25th of October 1991. The Barony Theatre is situated on Borrowstoun Road in Bo'ness, Scotland, a town situated between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the South Bank of the Firth of Forth. The Theatre was originally a Primary School but had become derelict by the 1960s and one of its former teachers, Josephine Turnbull, hit on the idea of turning it into a Theatre as a home for the Barony Players and the Bo'ness Amateur Operatic Society, of which she was a former producer.

Right - Josephine Turnbull, the 'driving force' behind the Barony Theatre - From the Linlithgowshire Gazette, 25th of October 1991.

The Auditorium of the Barony Theatre - Courtesy Keith Hewitt, Trustee of the Theatre. Backed by the Bo'ness Town Council financially two years were spent on converting the former school into the 120 seat Barony Theatre for its opening on 26th of October 1966 with the play 'The Amorous Prawn'.

Left - The Auditorium of the Barony Theatre - Courtesy Keith Hewitt, Trustee of the Theatre.

Playing a small part in the play was Seamus Dewar who apart from being an Art Teacher in nearby Linlithgow was an enthusiastic helper with the creation of the Barony Theatre, decorating the Theatre and the sets for the opening play itself. Another of the players in the opening production, John F. Miller, was responsible for fitting out the Theatre's lighting installation. Many other enthusiastic people helped fit out the building for its theatrical transformation but sadly their names have gone into obscurity.

The Auditorium and Stage of the Barony Theatre nearing completion in July 1966 - From The Scotsman, 4th of July 1966. Despite the opening production being an amateur one the Theatre was soon staging Professional Productions too, starting with 'There Was a Man' with Victor Carin on the 5th of November 1966 and sponsored by the Arts Council, as were many of the following productions over the years.

Right - The Auditorium and Stage of the Barony Theatre nearing completion in July 1966 - From The Scotsman, 4th of July 1966.

The Theatre's auditorium was decorated in Green and Gold when it first opened and had an elaborate foyer with 'rich wallpaper and handsome light fittings' according to the Scotsman of July the 4th 1966 who reported on its construction. Many of the seats in the Theatre were salvaged from Edinburgh's former Synod Hall before it was demolished in March 1966.

Some of the seats from the former Synod Hall, Edinburgh now situated in the Barony Theatre - Courtesy Keith Hewitt, Trustee of the Barony Theatre. The Theatre's stage was 16 feet wide and 20 feet deep when it first opened and had 24 circuits and dimmers for stage lighting. Included in the plans were 'large scenery docks and workshops' as well as dressing rooms for artistes. A projection room was also installed for the showing of films, and FOH there was a bar/lounge with a kitchen and buffet.

Left - Some of the seats from the former Synod Hall, Edinburgh now situated in the Barony Theatre - Courtesy Keith Hewitt, Trustee of the Barony Theatre.

Reaching it's 60th year in 2026 the Barony Theatre is still run by the Barony Players and now has a 25 year lease of the building from Falkirk Council, modern lighting and film equipment, and a very nice lounge and bar with framed photos of previous productions. The Barony Theatre looks set to continue for many years to come.

You may like to visit the Theatre's own Website here.

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