The Stage

Aberdeen’s Lemon Tree rescued

Published Wednesday 23 January 2008 at 16:10 by Nicole Hepburn

Troubled Scottish Arts Centre The Lemon Tree has been saved, following its closure in December 2007.

Aberdeen City Council’s resources management committee has agreed to hand over the running of the venue to Aberdeen Performing Arts.

The theatre, which brought in liquidators last month because of financial concerns, will be kept as a centre for drama, dance, music and comedy.

Aberdeen Performing Arts chief executive Duncan Hendry said: “We are pleased that the city council wish to pursue Aberdeen Performing Arts’ proposal and are delighted that we are the council’s preferred option. We aim to restore the Lemon Tree as a centre for cutting edge drama, theatre, comedy and music, with the focus on drama and dance upstairs and on a wide range of music and comedy downstairs. The venue will continue to be an important community arts resource for the city.

“We are aware of how strongly people feel both in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire about the Lemon Tree. It is a much loved community venue in the city and with public support we are confident we can restore the centre to its rightful place as a vibrant base for new and innovative work in drama, theatre, music and comedy.”

City councillor Kevin Stewart added: “I am absolutely delighted that we have found a way of saving the Lemon Tree. APA will bring expertise in marketing and management which I am sure will deliver a high-quality programme of performances, events and educational activities.”

APA currently manages the operation of the Music Hall, Aberdeen Box Office and His Majesty’s Theatre With the addition of the Lemon Tree, the charitable trust will control all arts venues in Aberdeen city.