Win 4 free tickets
to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter and you will find
out instantly if you have won free tickets.
The History of His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre opened on Monday 3 December 1906. The first performance at HMT Aberdeen was a performance of
the pantomime Red Riding Hood. The A-listed Edwardian Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct was designed by architect Frank Matcham, who also designed
the Tivoli theatre in Aberdeen, the Blackpool Grand, the Hackney Empire in London and the King's Theatre in Glasgow.
Each theatre was specially designed so that actors could easily
project their voices to the audiences using natural acoustics and sightlines of the building. The first proprietor was Robert Arthur and his first manager was
Harry Adair Nelson. The granite used for HMT Aberdeen
was sourced locally from quarries at Tillyfourie and Kemnay
Maw Broon fae the Sunday Post has published a cookbook full of her favourite Scottish and family recipes.
Read More About It Or Buy Now!
A major refurbishment which cost £7.8 million was undertaken in 2004 - 2005. The Architects were Aberdeen City Council principal architect Trevor Smith and
Stuart Pattulo. The building contractors were Robertson Construction Eastern. The funding for the new wing of His Majesty’s Theatre was a combination of £4.8 million
funds from Aberdeen City Council, a Scottish Arts Council Lottery grant of £2 million, a Scottish Enterprise Grampian grant of £375,000 with the remaining money raised
from the theatre’s own HMT Tomorrow fund-raising and sponsorship campaign. Productions and performances were temporarily moved to Hilton, Aberdeen.
HMT Aberdeen re-opened on the 2nd September 2005 with additional features
such as a new coffee shop and restaurant, new foyer and box office. Previous refurbishments took place in 1933 and
1982. Original features such as the Dress Circle, The Gods, Balcony and Upper Circle were retained. These days over 250,000 enjoy the shows at HMT Aberdeen. His Majesty's Theatre stands alongside the Public Library and St Mark's Church and is known
locally with its neighbours as Education, Salvation and Damnation. In olden days when there was Railway Station at Schoolhill there was the addition of Transportation.
In September 2006 HMT Aberdeen theatre archivist and former Artistic Director Edi Swan published his book
His Majesty's Theatre - One Hundred Years of Glorious Damnation. It is available to buy from online bookshop
Amazon
at a discounted price with free delivery available.
His Majesty's Theatre - One Hundred Years of Glorious Damnation is aptly published by Black and White Publishing in the Centenary year of our beloved HMT and looks back at the last one hundred years of His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen. It is beautifully illustrated and has some stunning photographs of the theatre through the decades.
Mr Swan guides the reader through the history of HMT, including the original design by Frank Matcham and brings readers up to date with information about the 2005 extension.
There is laughs aplenty and light hearted relief with many amusing anecdotes and stories about the managers, production staff and sound effect machines who have helped
make this showcase theatre the success it is today. Such anecdotes also includes tales about the actors and theatrical performers who have walked the stage with
the funniest tale being that involving Andy Stewart and a painting of Bonnie Prince Charlie! This
comprehensive and enjoyable book should not be missed.
More information.
In September 2006 HMT Aberdeen was short listed for the Civic Building of the Year title from the Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities award (SCALA).
The other UK buildings which were short listed were The Baxter Park Ranger Centre in Dundee, Norwich Bus Station, The Visual Arts Centre at Gilesgate Sports Centre in Durham,
The Jubilee Library in Brighton, The Quadrus Centre in South Tyneside, Lantern's Children's Centre in Hampshire and Highwood Cemetery in Nottingham. There
were 127 entries.
On the evening of the 28 September it was announced that the modern extension of glass and granite at HMT Aberdeen was the joint winner in the Major Project category in the Civic
Building of the Year competition at SCALA’s annual conference in Hull. The architects Trevor Smith and Stuart Pattulo attended the event to receive the prize. HMT
will be awarded an engraved glass plaque which will be mounting on the building. The other winner in the category was Norwich Bus Station.
The extension glass facade was made from a 250m2 double-glazed Pilkington Planar system which makes use of a frameless glazing system. This enables the environment temperature to be seasonally controlled so that the inside of the building does not over heat in the Aberdeen sunshine but still stays warm in the harshest of Aberdonian winter.
We also run the
www.findextrawork.co.uk website where there is information about earning more money from a
range of part time and full time jobs which can be done at home or out and about. Visit for more information.
What's On At HMT Aberdeen
May 2008
Thursday 8 May to Saturday 10 May 2008 - The Emperor's New Kilt from the National Theatre of Scotland wee stories at HMT Aberdeen.
Book a ticket information.
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and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Wednesday 14 May to Saturday 17 May 2008 - The Witches Of Eastwick by The Lyric Musical Society at HMT Aberdeen.
Book a ticket information.
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to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Wednesday 21 May to Saturday 24 May 2008 - Romeo and Juliet by the Scottish Ballet at HMT Aberdeen,
Book a ticket information.
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to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
26 to 31 May Andrew Lloyd Webber presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with songs such as Any Dream Will Do and One More Angel. Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
June 2008
5 and 7 - Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
6 - A Night At The Chinese Opera. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Friday 13 May to Saturday 14 June 2008 - Nederland Dans Theatre 2 Ballet Modern Dance at His Majestys Theatre Aberdeen.
Book a ticket information.
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and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Thursday 19 June to Saturday 21 June -The Bacchae by the National Theatre of Scotland starring Alan Cumming at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
23 to 28 - Sleuth by Anthony Shaffer starring Simon MacCorkindale and Michael Praed at His Majestys Theatre.php. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Monday 30 June to Saturday 5 July 2008 - The Wedding Singer starring Jonathan Wilkes and Natalie Casey at His Majestys Theatre Aberdeen.
Book a ticket information.
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to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
July 2008
16 and 17 July 2008 - Lazy Town at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Saturday 19 July - Scottish Youth Theatre at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Friday 25 July to Sunday 27 July - The Singing Kettle Ahoy Shipmates Pirate Island at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
August 2008
4 to 6 August 2008 - CBeebies at the Theatre at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Tuesday 12 August to Saturday 16 August - Hello Dolly starring Anita Dobson, Darren Day and David McAlister at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Monday 18 August to Saturday 23 August - Eurobeat Almost Eurovision starring Mel Giedroyc and Norman Pace at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Monday 25 August to Saturday 30 August 2008 - Flashdance The Musical at His Majestys Theatre Aberdeen. Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
September
Friday 5 September to Saturday 13 September - Sunset Song at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Monday 15 September to Wednesday 17 September - The Aluminum Show at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Thursday 18 September - Tosca at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Friday 19 September - La Boheme at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Saturday 20 September - Carmen at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Tuesday 23 September to Saturday 27 September - Le Grand Cirque at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Monday 29 September 2008 to Saturday 4 October 08 - Footloose The Musical at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
October 2008
Tuesday 7 October 2008 - Sing a long a Sound of Music at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Friday 10 October to Saturday 11 October - Scottish Ballet at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Tuesday 21 October to Saturday 1 November 2008 - Disney High School Musical Live On Stage at HMT Aberdeen.
Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
December
Saturday 6 December to Sunday 4 January 2009 - Peter Pan Panto at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page. Read about the Christmas pantomimes.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
January 2009
Wednesday 28 January to Saturday 31 January 2009 - The Sleeping Beauty by Scottish Ballet at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
Free parking for His Majesty's Theatre HMT Aberdeen, after 6pm, can be found behind the Theatre at Denburn Multi Storey Car Park in Spa Street.
Tickets can be booked in person, by telephone or on the internet at the
Aberdeen Box Office.
Contact Address, Telephone Number And Website Of His Majesty's Theatre
His Majesty's Theatre
Rosemount Viaduct
Aberdeen
AB25 1GL
Tel: (01224) 337642
Website - TBA
The Patron of HMT is Prince Edward.
The Ghosts Of His Majesty's Theatre
Jake the Ghost is thought to be a stagehand who was killed in 1942 by a stage hoist during a circus performance. His real name was
John Murray though he was nicknamed Jake and he met a horrific death by decapitation by a spinning winch handle when he leaned over to apply
a brake to a stage hoist.
Jake is a mischievous but kindly spirit who moves things about and many stagehands have had their tools such as screwdrivers moved about and hidden.
Jake roams the long, ill lit passage called Lambeth Walk that goes from the balcony to the side of the building by St Mark's Church towards
the fire escapes. This area is from the Balcony through the Fly Floor and down to Church Lane (Donald's Way). It is always cold, although heated. Guard dogs have never walked down
here, refusing to move with hackles raised against the presence of Jake the Ghost. A witness, Pete Thorpe a former manage of HMT, saw Jake on the bridge to the fly
floor, he was dressed in a brown dustcoat and disappeared before his eyes.
Edi Swan the author of
His Majesty's Theatre - One Hundred Years of Glorious Damnation has
worked in the theatre late at night and on his own painting scenery. In his book he describes being played a trick by Jake the Ghost when he laid down his paintbrush
only to go back to it and find it elsewhere. This happened several times until he had to shout to Jake to stop his mischief!
Mr Swan had two accidents at the theatre whilst alone at night and feels that Jake helped him to safety - but you’ll have to
read his book
to learn about these remarkable stories.
Jake has made his presence felt when people alone in the theatre hear footsteps. This last happened during the 2005 refurbishment when project manager David Steele of the Robertson Construction Group and some carpet layers heard footsteps coming from the fly floor above the stage. No-one else was in the theatre…at least no-one alive!
A Grey Lady ghost has often been seen to move across the theatre's foyer. No-one has been able to trace who she is
or why she haunts the theatre.
Some performers have seen the ghost of Miss Mitchell, a barmaid, in the Stalls Bar.
A gentleman dressed in a top hat has been seen in the Royal Box enclosure and has been witnessed walking onto
the stage during performances.
For details of events and what is on at HMT Aberdeen see the
events page.
HMT Aberdeen has seen many prominent productions, musicals and operas including Grease,
Arms And The Cow a satirical operatta by Kurt Weill, Elizabeth Gordon Quinn by Chris Hannan,
The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, Scottish Ballet Cinderella, Rebecca, Flying Pig
Productions (Aberdeen's own comedy group), Miss Saigon, Jerry Springer The Musical, Rod Stewart Musical - Tonight's
The Night, Scottish Ballet, The Nutcracker, Cluedo, Yokel Hero, Trainspotting, The Vagina Monologues, Titanic, The
Jungle Book, The Singing Kettle, The Marriage Of Figaro, La Boheme by Puccini, La Rondine The Swallow by Puccini,
The Hollow by The Agatha Christie Theatre Company, Anything Goes by Cole Porter, The Singing Kettle - Old
MacDonald's Farm, You Must Remember This - Hits From The Blitz - The Frank Thomson Band, Sing A Long A Sound Of Music,
Sing A Long A Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, International Youth Festival Finale Variety Gala,
and the annual pantomimes and student show.
His Majesty's Theatre has seen some top actors and actresses on stage such as Nigel Havers, Tom Conti, Belinda Lang,
Julian Wadham, Susannah York, Christopher Biggins, Ian Ogilvy, Kate O'Mara, Tony Britton, Tracey Childs,
Gary Mavers, Ben Nealon, Chloe Newsome, Fiona Dolman
and Liza Goddard.
On the 6 June 2006 HMT Aberdeen held a Centenary Celebration Party where the dress code was to wear whatever
100 years of HMT meant to you. The bars, foyers, restaurant and the new extension sprung alive with cabaret and
musical acts. The front stalls were transformed into a dance floor and dance bands performed throughout the evening.
On the 22 July 2006 HMT Aberdeen held an open day where visitors could have a tour behind the scenes of the
theatre and there was free live entertainment.
From August to October 2006 there was a floral display in
Union Terrace Gardens to commemorate the
centenary of His Majesty's Theatre. It contained red and green flowers and formed the log of the theatre. A brass plate
in front of the flowers said:
His Majesty's Theatre 1906 - 2006. Celebrating the centenary of our beautiful theatre throughout 2006."
The floral display cost £10,000 which was funded by Aberdeen Council and the display took just under one month to
plant.
The Maj
There is only one other His Majesty's Theatre in the World and it can be found in Perth, Western Australia. It
is known as The Maj. It was opened a year after Aberdeen's HMT, in 1904. Both were twinned in 2004.
In 2007 two members of staff from HMT Aberdeen went on the first exchange work visit to The Maj in Perth. These were Johanna Duncan a bar supervisor and education assistant and Sarah Harbison who works as a ticket officer. In 2008 staff from The Maj in Perth, Australia will come to Aberdeen as part of the work exchange and then continue taking turns to visit each theatre in alternate years.
HMT Aberdeen Signed Photographs Sold on Ebay
In March 2007 an Ebay user called Northumbrian sold some what were thought to be missing HMT Aberdeen photographs that had been signed by stars such as Max Bygraves, Stanley Baxter, Danny La Rue, Carol Lombard, Tommy Steele, Hayley Mills, Susan Hampshire, Kate o' Mara, Margaret Lockwood, Gary Wilmot, Tyrone Power, Edward Fox, Janet Baker, Patti Boule, Anna Neagle, Gary Cooper, Ian MacKellaw, Marlene Deitreich, Donald Sindon and Svetlana Beriosova. Bids started at £4-99.
This caused a large local media interest and the police were involved because Theatre staff considered the photos to be their property and thought they were lost in the move to HMT Hilton during renovations, though some Theatre staff remember seeing them on the walls of the Foyer during the 1980s and the 1990s.
Some have thought that those for sale may have been copies but the Ebay seller says that they are genuine hand signed autographed pictures obtained legally. They were
bought from Bonhams Auctions in Edinburgh by Grove Antiques and the original owner was a "high level official or director or similar who has total ownership." The police officer who
investigated the complaint proved that they were lawfully purchased and the sales continued. The Ebay seller did sell four other signed photos of Frank Finlay, Lulu, Dave Allen and Penelope Keith with the proceeds going to local charity Cash For Kids.
The staff of HMT Aberdeen had to bid against other eBay users to win the auctions to get back the signed photographs. Unfortunately only three signed photos were won which were Margaret Lockwood, Svetlana Beriosova and Edward Fox. The other signed pictures went for hundreds of pounds.
Past Performances At HMT Aberdeen
Over the decades His Majesty's Theatre (HMT Aberdeen) has seen may famous performers and productions perform on its stage. In the early years famous names and top
acts included Harry Lauder, Andy Stewart, Rex Harrison, Tommy Handley, Harry Gordon, Rickie Fulton, Jack Milroy, Gracie Fields, Revues, Dulcie Gray, Eric Porter,
Michael Dennison, Penelope Keith, Stewart Granger, Billy Connolly, The Corries, Alec Guinness, Andrew Cruickshank, Viviene Leigh, Tyrone Power, Eric Sykes, Jim MacLeod,
Harry Hill, John Hardie, Robbie Shepherd, Hinge and Bracket, John Wolfitt, Danny La Rue, Tommy Steele,
Elspeth March, Mollie Sugden, Jimmy Logan, Stanley Baxter, Max Bygraves, Sylvia Sims, Kenneth McKellar, Fiona Kennedy, Sydney Devine,
Plays included productions by Noel Coward such as Hay Fever, The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, The Doctor's Dilemma and The Devil's Disciple
by Bernard Shaw, A Man For All Seasons by Robert Bolt, An Inspector Calls by JB Priestley, Of Mic and Men by John Steinbeck,
Musicals have included Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler On The Roof, Buddy Holly, Elvis, The Pirates of Penzance, The King and I, Carousel and Copacabanca.
Operas have included Turandot by Puccini and Peter Grimes by Britten.
Famous guest who have come to watch the shows have included Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who watched the performance of Don Pasquale by Donizetti which
was performed by the Scottish Opera Company on 9 October 1972. Other members of the Royal Family who have watched performances and gone back stage to meet the cast
at HMT Aberdeen were Prince Charles, Princess Margaret, Prince Edward The Earl of Wessex,
And who can forget the local talent of Scotland The What? a local revue group who had to be persuaded to perform at His Majesty's Theatre and then went on to become one of
Scotland's greatest theatre and television treasures. Read more about Scotland The What?
2006
September
The Rocky Horror Show starring David Bedella and Suzanne Shaw.
4 - 9 - Cat On A Hot Tin Roof starring Joss Ackland as Big Daddy.
21 - 30 September 2006 - Tutti Frutti by John Byrne starring Tom Urie (Chewin The Fat, Still Game and Karen Dunbar Show) as Dawn Steele (Monarch of the Glen and Sea of Souls) as
his girlfriend Suzi Kettles, Julie Wilson Nimmo (Miss Hoolie in Balamory) as Miss Toner, Dean Burn (Taggart and Hamish McBeth) and
John Ramage (Dundee Rep) as Eddie Clocherty.
The original television series Tutti Frutti starred Robbie Coltrane and Emma Thompson and was shown on TV in 1987. It charts the fortunes of a group of musicians
and singers called the Majestics, who are nicknamed the Scottish 'Kings Of Rock'. Just as they are about to embark on their silver jubilee tour their lead singer, Big
Jazza suddenly dies in a car crash when coming home from a trip to the kebab shop. Danny, his younger brother comes home from New York for the funeral. He reacquaints
himself with the band and deputises for his late brother
so that the tour goes ahead. Things get complicated as Danny's old girlfriend, Suzi Kettles, joins the band as a guitarist.
On October 1 BBC Artworks broadcasted a documentary about Tutti Frutti with clips from the HMT Aberdeen performance.
October 2006
2 October - Kate Rusby.
5 - 7 - Scottish Ballet (Agon and Two Pieces Of HET).
9 - 14 October 2006 - Arsenic And Old Lace which starred Louise Jameson, Sherrie Hewson and Wayne Sleep.
10 - 14 October 2006 - Gruffalo.
16 - 21 October 2006 - This Is Elvis starring Simon Bowman where he impersonated and sung as Elvis during Las Vegas in 1968. This was a sing a
long event as Simon sings the hits and songs of Elvis and dancing was encouraged.
24 - 28 October 2006- The History Boys by Alan Bennett. A National Theatre’s Touring Production starring Scottish actress Isla Blair as the teacher Mrs Lintott
(played by Frances De La Tour in the film version) and Stephen Moore as the teacher Hector. It is set in a school in the Midlands and centres around a group of boys
and their teachers as they prepare for an Oxbridge exam in the 1980s. The play won 6 Tony awards during its Broadway run including best actor award for actor
Richard Griffiths for his role as the teacher called Hector. The award also went to Frances De La Tour.
30 October - 4 November - Heroes - a play by Tom Stoppard about three World War I veterans who are now in a nursing home planning their escape. It stars Christopher
Timothy (All Creatures Great and Small, Doctors), Art Malik (Holby City) and Michael Jayston (Only Fools and Horses, Doctor Who) and won the 2006 Olivier Award
for Best Comedy.
November 2006
7 - 10 - Two - starring Scottish comedy actors Elaine C. Smith and Andy Gray. The play portrays the relationship of a husband and wife who are two warring
pub landlords. The drama unfolds as each pub serves some strange and eccentric customers.
11 - Cotton Club Party.
13 - Johann Strauss Die Fledermaus by The Chisinau National Opera.
14 - 15 - Puccini Madama Butterfly by The Chisinau National Opera and Ellen Kent.
18 - Scottish Dance Theatre.
21 November 2006 - 2 December - Charles Dickens Scrooge by Bill Kenwright. Read more information
100th Birthday Celebrations at HMT Aberdeen
3 December 2006 - To celebrate the exact date of the centenary of His Majesty's Theatre there was a firework display and Son Et Lumiere spectacular outdoor
sound and light show at
Union Terrace Gardens and
Fiona Kennedy sang songs
on the balcony of HMT to celebrate the exact day HMT Aberdeen opened 100 years ago. The crowds were entertained by another Aberdonian lass,
Joyce Falconer, who was appearing as the Fairy Godmother in the 2006 pantomime.
December 2006
9th December- 6th January - Cinderella - The Centenary Pantomime starred
Joyce Falconer as the Fairy Godmother, James MacKenzie as Dandini and Alan McHugh as an ugly sister.
January 2007
16 January - 3 February - Andrew Lloyd Webber - Cats.
February 2007
6 to 10 February 2007 - The Play What I Wrote - The West End celebration of Britain’s greatest double comedy act Morecambe and Wise. It is written by Hamish McColl,
Sean Foley and Eddie Braben. The Play What I Wrote stars Andy Cryer as Eric Morecambe and Greg Haste as Ernie Wise and The show will feature the mystery guest couple interior designers Justin and Colin. Rumour has it that Justin Ryan and
Colin McAllister are making over a house in Dyce whilst in Aberdeen. Previous mystery members of cast have included Sting, Ewan McGregor, Richard Wilson, Glenn Close,
Joanna Lumley, Dawn French, Kylie Minogue, Liam Neeson, Amanda Barrie, Honor Blackman, Ralph Fiennes and Sir Ian McKellen and was directed by Kenneth Branagh.
There was an opportunity to meet the cast after the show on the performance on the 6 February.
13 - 17 Scottish Ballet Cinderella. This production was choreographed by Ashley Page with costumes and sets by designer Antony McDonald.
20 - 24 - Sugar The Musical. This is based on the classic 1959 romantic comedy film Some Like It Hot which starred Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis.
Music is by Jule Styne and the lyrics are by Bob Merrill. Two out of work musicians witness a gangland Valentine Day massacre in Chicago and decide to leave town.
The only way they can escape is to pretend to be women and join an all girl band called Sweet Sue and her Society Syncopaters. The two lads are now the lassies
Josephine and Daphne and all goes well until one of them falls in love with the lead singer Sugar and Sir Osgood the millionaire falls in love with one of them.
The lads who turned to women were played by actors Scott Jamieson and Martin Rudge. The performance was 25 minutes late, an event which has not happened for many
years at HMT, though one performance was cancelled years before when the curtain failed to rise. The reason for this late performance was due to the fire alarm going
off twice because of rain water getting into a smoke detector. The audience, staff and performers were evacuated, including Scott and Martin dressed in drag, who
stood shivering in their ladies clothes.
26 February - 3 March - Hay Fever by Noel Coward, presented by Bill Kenwright, directed by Peter Hall and starring Stephanie Beacham (Bad Girls, Tenko, Dynasty).
This comedy was set in the country home of the Bliss family where reality and fiction blur. All is well until guests arrive and are thrown into melodramatic
situations by their hosts. There was an opportunity to meet the cast of Hay Fever after the 26 February show.
March 2007
7 - 10 March Desperate Fishwives - a collection of sketches and songs by Aberdeen’s own
Flying Pig‘s.
12 - 24 March - Blood Brothers the musical by Willy Russell and Bill Kenwright. It is set in Liverpool and tells the story of twin boys who were separated at birth and become reunited by a twist of fate and their mother’s haunting secret.
26 and 27 March - Aida Verdi Opera by Ellen Kent and the Opera International. This opera is set in Egypt and India
28 March - Puccini Tosca by Ellen Kent and the Opera International. This opera is about love, treachery and torture.
30 March - Bon Record! An Aberdeen Grammar School Celebration. This marks the 750th anniversary year of the original Aberdeen town school. Members of the
school will perform on stage and includes former members of the Grammar School, including Steve Robertson from
Scotland The What?
April
3 - 14 April - Walt Disney Beauty and the Beast with music by Alan Menken nd lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman. It is based on the book by Linda Woolverton and is a production by Peter Frosdick and Martin Dood for UK Productions Ltd. It has been nominated for 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
17 - 21 April - Invasion of the Doric Snatchers by Aberdeen Students Charities Campaign, the Sutdent Show 2007. It tells the story of the Grampian Police
investigation into the attempted theft of the Doric language from Aberdeen. They are helped by an Aberdonian superhero and his trusted sidekick.
April
26 - 28 April - Scottish Ballet Spring Season 2007 includes dance drama and live music ranging from Agon, In Light and Shadow, Room of Cooks and Othello.
Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
30 April - 5 May - Agatha Christie The Unexpected Guest from Bill Kenwright and the Agatha Christie Theatre Company. This all star cast icludes Jack Ellis,
Tracey Childs, Fraser Hines, Mark Wynter and Virginia Stride. Sadly Dean Gaffney had to pull out from appearing because of personal circumstances. This chilling crime whodunnit story sees a stranger lost on a lonely road who seeks refuge in a house only
to stumble upon a crime scene. The wife admits to murdering her husband and the stranger agrees to provide her with an alibi. There is the opportunity to meet the cast
after the first night's show.
Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
May
7 - 19 May - Chicago The Musical. This is based on the real life events of 1920’s nightclub singer Roxie Hart who shoot her lover. She is helped to avoid death row
by her lawyer Billy Flynn who is also helped double murderess Velma Kelly. Chicago has won 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier, 1 Grammy, 6 Academy and 2 Bafta Awards and this
production is by John Kander, Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse. Hits songs performed include Razzle Dazzle and All That Jazz.
22 - 26 Tracy Beaker Gets Real. Written by Mary Morris who also wrote the scripts to the TV series Tracy Beaker which were
based on the books by Jacqueline Wilson. This play is by the Nottingham Playhouse.
29 May 2007 to 2 June 2007 - Sunshine On Leith The Musical features the songs of The Proclaimers, the Reid brothers (Craig and Charlie) from Scotland. This Proclaimers Musical is on stage during
the 20th anniversary of the first album released by The Proclaimers. The Proclaimers Musical has many of their hits including Letter From America, On My Way and I'm
Gonna Be (500 miles). A nine piece tribute band will be playing about 18 of their hits during the evening performance. The Proclaimers musical is written by Stephen
Greenhorn and performed by the Dundee Rep Ensemble.
June
4 - 9 Hot Flush! This musical is a celebration of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)
and stars Sheila Ferguson, Rula Lenska, Marti Webb,
Rachel Izen and Sam Kane.
13 - 16 Les Miserables performed by Aberden Youth Music Theatre. Based on the
novel by Victor Hugo this musical was written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer.
18 - 23 The New Statesman. Starring the original cast member Rik Mayall
and written by original wTV series riters Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. Alan B'Stard MP had now joined New Labour and wants to join the Trillionaires Club and needs
the help of Condoleeza Rice.
Unfortunately Rik Mayall was ill for the first two performances and his role of Alan B’Stard was performed by his understudy Mike Sherman. Mike acted with a
convincing Rik Mayall impersonation and though the audience were offered refunds many members of the audience chose to stay and were rewarded by management with
tickets to Rik's performance when he returned to better health. The show was written by scriptwriters Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran. The character of Piers Fletcher-Dervish was replaced by a character called Frank who was played by the actor Garry Cooper. The voice of Tony Blair was recorded by Dead Ringers impressionist Jon Culshaw. Aberdeen is the only venue in Scotland to host The New Statesman and the latest adventures of Alan B’Stard who defected from the Tory party to become a New Labour MP.
26 June -
Lucia Di Lammermoor by Gaetano Donizetti. This opera is sung in Italian with English subtitles. It is based on the novel The Bride of Lammermoor by Sir Walter Scott
and tells the tale of a feud between two families, the Ashtons and the Ravenswoods. The director is John Doyle (from Inverness) and the leading soprano is Sally
Silver. The tenor is Bulent Bezduz and Julian Smith conducts.
28 and 30 June 2007 - Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini. Rebecca Nash is Soprano and John Hudson is Pinkerton. Madama Butterfly is directed by Leah Hausman and produced
by David McVicar.
Read more about this stunning opera.
On the 29th there is a free event called Madama Butterfly Unwrapped. The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, singers and back-stage crew give a one hour behind the scenes tour and talk
and share the secrets of producing Madama Butterfly.
July 2007
6 July - Centenary Celebration Party - Having A Ball At HMT! to mark the end of the HMT centenary celebrations. All public area will spring alive with a giant party,
cabaret and musical events. Confirmed performers so far are Andy Gray, Oceans 3, Caledon, Funk Connection, The Buchaneers, Frank Thomson Band and The Swing Doctors. The dress code is theatrical! Starts at 7:30pm and
goes on till late o’clock! There will be a free glass of champagne and canapes upon arrival.
11 to 14 The Rat Pack Live From Las Vegas. Relive the music of Frank Sinatra,
Sammy Davis Jnr and Dean Martin with a 15 piece orchestra.
21 Scottish Youth Theatre will perform a new devised theatre piece which can h=been taught and devised during their course which will run from 9 to 21 July 2007.
July 25 to July 28 2007 - The Singing Kettle Wild Wild West Show - come dressed as a cowboy or cowgirl.
30 July - 2 August - Fame The Musical which is the story of the pupils at the New York High School for the Performing Arts with lots of dancing and jubilant songs.
Features the runner up of Maria, Abi Finley and Strictly Dance Fever champions Hollie and Darrien.
August 2007
From the 1st to the 11th August HMT Aberdeen hosted events that formed part of the
International Youth Festival:
1 - Aberdeen International Youth Festival Launch Party.
2 - Opening Concert: Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.
4 - World Music Night.
9 - Festival Dance Gala.
10 - Gala Concert: National Youth Orchestra of Spain.
11 - Festival Finale - International Variety Gala.
15 and 16 August 2007 - The Tweenies Live - The Enchanted Toyshop. Milo, Jake, Bella, Fizz, Max and Doodles will be on stage entertaining fans young and old.
18 - Gang Show Scotland Celebrates at HMT Aberdeen. The 2007
Aberdeen Gang Show will celebrate the centenary of Scouting by bringing together the seven Scottish Gang Shows to one spectacular show for two
performances (2:30 and 7:30pm). Gang Show Scotland Celebrates brings together over 350 Scouts from Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow, Inverness, Greenock, Edinburgh
and Stirling to perform comedy, dance and song.
21 August - 1 September - 42nd Street. Directed by mark Bramble and starring Paul Nicholas as Julian Marsh. This musical has won the Tony Award twice - for Best New Musical back in 1980 and then Best Revival of a Musical in 2001. Songs performed include I Only Have Eyes For You, Lullaby Of Broadway, We’re In The Money, Shuffle Off To Buffalo and Keep You And Beautiful.
September 2007
4 to 8 Rikki & Me by Tony Roper and Philip Differ. A celebration
of the comedy of Rikki Fulton. It stars Tony Roper as Rikki Fulton and Gerard Kelly as Jack Milroy. Characters brought back to life include Francie and Josie, The Rev I.M Jolly,
Supercop and Dirty Dickie Dandruff. Writers Tonny Roper and Philip Differ were the original script writers of Scotch and Wry.
10 to 15 September 2007 - Half a Sixpence starring Gary Wilmot as Kipps based on the novel by HG Wells. Features the songs Flash Bang Wallop and If The Rain‘s Got
To Fall. This is a Theatre Royal Windsor and Churchill Bromley Production. Free tickets to HMT Aberdeen will be given to anyone who can bring a sixpence to His
Majesty's Theatre. The free ticket offer is only valid for a performance of Half a Sixpence.
20 to 22 September Scottish Ballet Autumn 2007 show.
24 to 29 - Whipping It Up starring Richard Wilson. This comedy satire was written Steve Thompson.
October 2007
2 to 6 - Aspects of Love starring David Essex, Shona Lindsay, Matt Rawle and Poppy Tierney at. This musical was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and features the song Love Changes Everything.
8 - Ellen Kent presents Verdi's Nabucco with the famous chorus of the Hebrew Slaves.
This was sung in Italian with English subtitles.
9 to 10 Ellen Kent presents Bizet's Carmen. This was sung in French with English subtitles. Performed by the Chisinau National Opera.
11 - Diversions the Dance Company of Wales.
12 and 13 The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler starring Carol Smillie. The 12 October performace includes a meet the cast event after the show. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
15 to 20 - The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde starring Penelope Keith.
For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
23 to 27 The Car Man which is a re-imagined Carmen by Bizet.
Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
29 October to 3 November 2007 - Joseph and the technicolor dream coat which will star Craig Chalmers who was a runner up on BBC 1 Any Dream Will Do. This is a Bill Kenwright production. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
November
7 and 9 - Scottish Opera perform Il Barbiere Di Siviglia by Gioacchino Rossini. On the 8th November there will be a free unwrapped event at 6pm and at 6pm on the 9 November there is a pre performance talk by Dafyyd Burne-Jones. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
8 - Ardal O' Hanlon (Father Ted as Dougal Maguire and My Hero as Thermoman aka George Sunday) performs stand up comedy
at HMT Aberdeen. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
10 - Seraglio by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
12 -Grumpy Old Women Live starring Denise Black, Britt Ekland and Dillie Keane at. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
15 - Scottish Dance Theatre Autumn 07 Tour. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
16 and 17 November 2007 Miss Bollywood The Musical starring Shilpa Shetty the famous Bollywood actress and winner of series five of Celebrity Big Brother.
Book a ticket information.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
19 to 24 - Legal Fictions by John Mortimer starring Edward Fox. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
27 November to 1 December - Terms of Endearment starring Linda Gray, Suranne Jones and John Bowe. For details on how to book a ticket at HMT Aberdeen see the
Aberdeen Box Office page.
Click here
to win 4 free tickets to see a show of your choice at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen. The competition is free to enter
and you will find out instantly if you have won.
December 2007
The 2007 to 2008 Christmas pantomime at HMT was Aladdin. It ran from 8 December to 5 January. Cast members who will play Widow Twankey and the baddie Abanazar
will be announced soon. Read about the Christmas pantomimes.
January 2008
15 to 19 - Scottish Ballet perform The Sleeping Beauty.
22 January to 9 February 2008 - Starlight Express.
February 2008
Monday 11 February to Saturday 16 February 2008 - The Deep Blue Sea starring Greta Scacchi.
20 to 22 - Rambert Dance Company World View Tour 2008.
Tuesday 26 February 2008 to Saturday 1 March 2008 - She Stoops To Conquer Or The Mistakes Of A Night by Oliver Goldsmith.
March 2008
4 to 8 - The Baker's Wife by the Aberdeen Opera Company.
10 to 15 - The 39 Steps by Alfred Hitchcock.
Monday 17 March to Saturday 22 March - John Savident in Hobson's Choice.
Thursday 20 March to Saturday 22 March 08 - The Gruffalo.
Tuesday 25 March to Wednesday 26 March - Grassic Gibbon by Jack Webster. Grassic Gibbon tells the story of Aberdeenshire author Lewis Grassic Gibbon and stars
Vivien Heilbron and Michael McKenzie. Read more about this local author in the AboutAberdeen Lewis Grassic Gibbon page.
Read more about Lewis Grassic Gibbon.
27 - La Traviata by Verdi performed by the Ellen Kent and Opera International.
28 and 29 - Madama Butterfly by Puccini performed by the Ellen Kent and Opera International.
Monday 31 March to Saturday 5 April 08 - Equus by Peter Shaffer starring Simon Callow, Alfie Allen, Linda Thorson and Laura O'Toole.
April 2008
Monday 7 April to Saturday 12 April 2008 - Agatha Christie And Then There Were None by Bill Kenwright starring Gerald Harper, Jeremy Edwards, Denis Lill, Chole
Newsome, Jennifer Wilson, Peter Bryne and Mark Wynter at His Majestys Theatre.
Tuesday 15 April to Saturday 19 April 2008 - Student Show 2008 Date Expectations at HMT Aberdeen.
Thursday 24 April to Saturday 26 April 2008 - Fiddler's Spectacular with the Aberdeen and Banchory Strathspey and Reel Societies, Caledon and The Flying Pigs.
Read more about the Flying Pigs.
28 April to 3 May - The Rise and Fall of Little Voice by Jim Cartwright starring Elaine C Smith and Andy Gray.
His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen still proves a popular venue for Aberdonians and tourists. In 12 months HMT sold over 255,000 tickets to their shows. This was an increase by 10% for the same sales period of 2005 to 2006. In terms of income this was an increase by 45% from £2.7 million to just under £4 million.
Jimmy Sutherland Art Prints HMT Aberdeen
Jimmy Sutherland art prints of HMT Aberdeen and views across the Union Terrace Gardens area available to buy from £6. Mounted art prints of Aberdeen views are
from £12 whilst a framed art print of HMT Aberdeen and other views cost from only £22. Stockists include the Press and Journal and Evening Express shop at 170 Union Street, next to the Music Hall. Other art prints from Jimmy Sutherland include the Duthie Park, Johnston Gardens and the Bridge of Dee.
Foyer Restaurant
In November 2007 it was announced by HMT Aberdeen that its restaurant, cafe bar and hospitality suite would now be run by the Foyer charity who have a restaurant and gallery in nearby Crown Street.
Theatre Family Tree
To commemorate the hard work and commitment of the Donald family over the years at HMT Aberdeen a theatre family tree was gifted to James and Peter Donald the grandsons of James F Donald who bought His Majesty's Theatre Aberdeen in 1933. Since then his sons and then grandsons have either owned HMT Aberdeen or been the theatre manager and the theatre family tree marks the 65 years of the Donald family involvement with HMT Aberdeen until 1998. The theatre family tree has a photo of each Donald with a brief biography below.
In September 2006 HMT Aberdeen was short listed for the Civic Building of the Year title from the Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities award (SCALA).
The other UK buildings which were short listed were The Baxter Park Ranger Centre in Dundee, Norwich Bus Station, The Visual Arts Centre at Gilesgate Sports Centre in Durham,
The Jubilee Library in Brighton, The Quadrus Centre in South Tyneside, Lantern's Children's Centre in Hampshire and Highwood Cemetery in Nottingham. There
were 127 entries.
