1 ABOUT US

Bathgate Regal Community Theatre is a community led venue in the heart of Bathgate. We are proud to provide

  • an exciting programme of film, music, theatre, comedy and children’s events
  • a unique venue for your performance, celebration, conference or event
  • spaces for classes and workshops

We value our history, our community and our facilities.

1.1 OUR HISTORY

Memories of The Regal Picture House and Cinema are very much alive in Bathgate. When it first opened in 1938, The Regal Picture House had seating for 1,100 and had cost £18,000. Reborn several times in its history, Bathgate Regal’s role as a cinema continues. Adults coming to the Film Society remember seeing films such as Grease and Pete’s Dragon in the 1970s. Thanks to the dedication of community activists and to West Lothian Council, Bathgate Regal was established as a Community Theatre in 1995.

Publications

In 2008, Harry Cockburn wrote a lively history of The Regal as a 70th Anniversary Souvenir Brochure. More recently, Bruce Peter published an academic work on Scotland’s Cinemas Link to Scotland's Cinemas by Bruce Peter

Architecture

Bathgate Regal is the finest remaining example of cinema design by Scottish architect A.D. Haxton. It boasts many original features including beautiful terrazzo flooring in the entrance foyer. Refurbishment of the exterior restored many features of its art deco facade, making Bathgate Regal a truly unique Scottish venue. More can be read about its architectural interest and history on the ScotlandsPlaces website: Link to Bathgate Regal on ScotlandsPlaces

Vision

Our vision is of a vibrant local theatre contributing to the social, cultural and economic wealth of the community. The Regal Community Theatre Bathgate Ltd is a company limited by guarantee (SCO156813.) It has charitable status (SCO23473) and operates with a combination of paid staff and volunteers. We gratefully acknowledge the ongoing support of West Lothian Council.

1.2 OUR COMMUNITY

i) Our partners

Bathgate Regal works in strong partnership with Bathgate Music Festival, The Bathgate Regal Film Society, Firefly Arts and West Lothian Council’s Community Arts Team. These are the organisations that we collaborate with most closely on funding, planning and projects. We are happy to share their vision and aims.

Bathgate Music Festival

Bathgate Music Festival has quickly established a tradition of quality, diversity and participation, making Festival Week in September a high point in our year. The Regal Community Theatre supports Bathgate Music Festival’s Programme, knowing that their audiences will enjoy the range and quality of music on offer. Link to Bathgate Music Festival

Bathgate Regal Film Society

The Bathgate Regal Film Society was established in 1999. Their aim, then as now, was to offer the local community a cheaper, friendlier alternative than a trip to the nearest multiplex, and to bring attention to smaller films, foreign cinema and classics. Two years ago they received a grant for a brand new, permanent cinema screen, over 20 feet in width, so the films now look better than ever before. The Regal has the heart and soul of an old picture house. The film society is proud to be able to bring back this tradition. The programme is diverse, and is entirely open to suggestions from members. They organise special matinees for both older and younger generations, as well as screenings of musicals to coincide with the Bathgate Music Festival. They continue to welcome new guests and members and hope to bring cinema to Bathgate for a very long time. Contact: Gail Whyte 01506 652623 Projectionist: Adam Whyte Link to Adam's film reviews

Firefly Arts

Firefly Arts provides quality theatre, performance and film activity for children and young people across West Lothian. They believe in quality and accessible arts for all, and offer a wide range of weekly workshops, holiday activity, school, outreach and community-based projects. Firefly is a registered Scottish Charity. No. SCO02848 For more information please contact 0844 774 4496 info@firefly-arts.co.uk

West Lothian Council’s Community Arts Team

The Community Arts Team provides a programme of arts activities to encourage everyone to get involved in the arts. They work with professional arts companies, organisations and individuals to provide projects, performances, classes and arts events at Howden Park Centre and other venues across West Lothian. The team coordinates the council's arts grants scheme and offers support and development opportunities to the many voluntary arts organisations in West Lothian. The Community Arts Team is also working to improve arts facilities and venues in West Lothian, delivering the council'sf three venue arts strategy. This has included major refurbishment of the Bathgate Regal Community Theatre and redevelopment of Howden Park Centre in Livingston and Linlithgow Burgh Halls. For further information about grants for individuals and for organisations, email arts@westlothian.gov.uk or phone 01506 773858.

ii) Regular Performers

Professional and amateur groups perform at the Regal. Local groups that regularly hold performances at the Regal include: Balbardie Primary School Bathgate Brass Band Bathgate Concert Orchestra Bathgate Procession Concert Bathgate Theatre Company Bathgate Youth Theatre Livingston Fiddlers Millenium Stage School Newland Concert Brass Phoenix Musicals Sharon McDowell Dance School West Lothian Council Instrumental Services Whitburn Brass Band YAP Music Yvonne Wright Dance School Recently, we have also welcomed Boghall Popskool, Bo’ness Amateur Operatic Society and The South Kirk Singers.

Regular classes

The following groups currently hold regular classes, workshops or meetings in the Bathgate Regal. Please ask Box Office (01506 630085) for more information, or contact them directly.

Activities for Young People

Bathgate Youth Theatre: willydevlin58@gmail.com Firefly Arts: info@firefly-arts.co.uk Link to Firefly Arts Helen O’Grady: midscot@helenogrady.co.uk Link to Helen O'Grady Millennium Stage School: info@milleniumstageschool.co.uk Link to Millennium Stage School Mini Music Makers: Catherine.williams@nycos.co.uk Link to Mini Music Makers Others Bathgate Flower Club Bathgate House Music Group Bathgate Theatre Company Birniehill Women’s Rural Institute 50+ Sing and Swing Heritage Society Pathways Art class Pathways Ceilidh Phoenix Musicals Regal Film Society: gail_whyte@hotmail.com Satyawanda Yoga with Jenni: jennicon@blueyonder.co.uk Scottish Country Dancing: b.m.macrae@blueyonder.co.uk. Swingtastic

OUR FACILITIES

Bathgate Regal offers:

  • Dedicated theatre space, accommodating an audience of 206 people in tiered seating. The tiered seating can be folded away revealing an attractive wooden floor to cater for a cabaret performance, party or business function
  • Permanent, retractable cinema screen, over 20 feet in width
  • Bar, open by arrangement to suit functions and performances
  • Box Office service and ticketing facility for professional and amateur groups
  • Five attractive spaces available to hire for parties, functions, meetings, rehearsals and workshops
  • Friendly and helpful service