A CALL for urgent support to ensure "the show will go on" has been made by the the Brunton Theatre Trust, after East Lothian Council's decision to mothball the Musselburgh-based theatre.

The local authority is considering demolishing the building – a regular Edinburgh Fringe Festival venue – after structural engineers, planners and other experts found that it was beyond affordable repair.

The trust is "deeply saddened" at the loss of its home of 30 years, saying that urgent funding and support was needed "now more than ever" to ensure that the local community and economy continued to benefit from the "world-class" arts, entertainment and creative learning it provided, "even without the facilities of the Brunton Hall".

It is supporting calls for a new replacement purpose-built home that places arts and culture "firmly at the heart of East Lothian".

As it delivers a "jam-packed" autumn/winter programme of creative events and educational projects in its 30th anniversary year", the trust is hoping that funding and public support can help it develop a new approach to bringing live performances to audiences across the area.

Michael Stitt, chair of Brunton Theatre Trust, said: "We are deeply saddened that we can no longer welcome audiences to our home of 30 years at the Brunton Hall and we share the feeling of loss that is prevalent within the community at this time.

Michael Stitt, chair of Brunton Theatre Trust (Image: Contributed)

"The Brunton Hall was a vital community hub for East Lothian, providing a space for arts, culture and community to come together, and where audiences were always warmly welcomed.

"However, the show must go on for the people of East Lothian and we are now calling for urgent support to make this happen.

"We also stand with the local community in asking East Lothian Council to rebuild a purpose-built home that places arts and entertainment provision at the heart of the region as a priority.

"In this challenging financial climate, decisions on the future of arts and entertainment across Scotland and East Lothian are critical for local communities.

"Theatre and cultural experiences make a significant economic, social and cultural contribution to the communities in which they are based.

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"For decades, the Brunton Hall and the Brunton Theatre Trust have played a central role in East Lothian – making world-class arts, entertainment and creative learning accessible to all, boosting wellbeing and attracting visitors who invest in local businesses nearby when they’re here.

"The people and businesses of East Lothian need and deserve a thriving hub of culture and creativity to safeguard these benefits and ensure East Lothian Council’s vision of an ‘even more prosperous, safe and sustainable East Lothian’ is realised.

"While the indefinite closure and possible demolition of the Brunton Hall are not the outcomes that we had hoped for, these decisions do finally give us greater clarity on the new approach we as a trust now need to take to ensure that we can keep bringing world-class live performances and educational experiences to East Lothian.

"We are now able to look at how we can work widely across the region, and develop and improve alternative spaces we will continue to use.

"However, the indefinite closure of the Brunton Hall places us in a very difficult position.

"Due to lost income from the unexpected closure in 2023, a delay in the council’s decision-making and a 50 per cent funding cut by the council this year, we have already had to use our carefully managed reserves to help keep the show on the road, with a jam-packed programme of events still taking place this autumn and winter at venues across East Lothian.

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"We urgently need funding from the council, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, as well as support from our audiences, to ensure we can continue to deliver the same level of high-quality arts, culture and entertainment events and education projects throughout 2025 and beyond.

"This is vital to ensuring we still have an organisation ready to operate in new performance space the council aims to build in the future."

Since moving out of the Brunton Hall venues in March last year, the Brunton Theatre Trust has adapted its programme to present events at Haddington Corn Exchange, and Loretto Theatre and Northesk Church in Musselburgh.

To support The Brunton Theatre Trust, people can donate, buy tickets or become a Friend of The Brunton at thebrunton.co.uk

Support for the trust has been flooding in.

The Brunton’s long-standing panto dame Graham Crammond, who was presented with an Unsung Hero Award at The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals live on the BBC earlier this year, said: "The Brunton has been such a massive part of my life.

The Brunton's long-standing panto dame Graham Crammond

"It really is a joy to perform in their pantomimes and to see the audience get so much from it.

"I hope all those who have enjoyed our performances over the years make every performance a sell-out so that we can continue to enjoy Brunton Theatre Trust’s performances for many, many years to come."

Stand-up comedian Craig Hill, who is due to appear at the Haddington Corn Exchange on February 8, commented: "I’m devastated to learn about the mothballing and potential demolition of the Brunton Hall.

Stand-up comedian Craig Hill. Photo: Steve Ullathorne

"It was genuinely one of my favourite spaces to perform in and so well-loved and well-used by the locals.

"You can tell when a venue means a lot to a community and it’s always a joy to perform in a place like that.

"The team have done a phenomenal job of keeping the show on the road given all they have had to navigate around.

"The trust is a real asset to Scotland and East Lothian. I hope they will get lots of support so that their fabulous programme can continue."

Tony Mills, former artist in residence at The Brunton and current artistic director of Dance Base, said: "As well as presenting commercial theatre, world-class music, film and community-led performances, The Brunton has been a regular supporter of the independent arts sector in Scotland, providing a vital platform while on tour, a space for production and partnering to help move projects forward.

"As an artist in residence at The Brunton for many years, I have been grateful for the opportunity to have a base and to be given time and support to develop ideas and projects. This has been invaluable to my growth as an artist, both through the support given but also because it required raising my own game to work with a partner such as The Brunton.

"I really hope the organisation can continue to provide this kind of career-changing support and remain an asset to the wider Scottish arts ecology.

"And I hope that audiences and funders will support it to continue for many years to come, ensuring it remains a cornerstone of the cultural landscape of East Lothian."

Louise Gilmour-Wills, producer at the Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, which produces award-winning theatre for young people, added: "The Brunton is an incredibly important cultural organisation in East Lothian and must be cherished, both by funders and the community.

"Catherine Wheels have developed a huge amount of our work through collaboration with The Brunton and presented this at venues across East Lothian with the support of the Brunton team.

"We need organisations like the Brunton Theatre Trust to continue so that artists can show their work and entertain young audiences, their friends and families across the region."

READ MORE: Potential demolition of the Brunton Hall 'devastating news'

Shona McCarthy, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, added: "Performing arts spaces across Scotland are critical for local communities and The Brunton theatre has been an incredibly important creative space for East Lothian.

"Places like this provide local people the opportunity to experience brilliant theatre – but they are also gathering spaces and bring a sense of community and joy, and contribute to health and wellbeing.

"It is so sad to see such vital provision in local areas suffer and I hope to see renewed support and dedicated funding for cultural institutions and spaces across Scotland from local authorities and government agencies.

"I wish the Brunton Theatre Trust the best of luck in their work ensuring the East Lothian community continue to benefit from excellent theatre and artistic programming for many years to come."

Describing its importance to his life, Brunton Youth Theatre member Lewis Crawford, nine, from Midlothian, said: “I've been going to the Brunton Youth Theatre for years and I love it.

"I really enjoy acting, going to the classes has really helped my confidence, and I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends.

"I also love going to see the pantomime with my school every year."