The Brunton Theatre

Significance

The Brunton Theatre is a modernist, textured concrete and glass building which opened in 1971. It features a gilded relief sculpture by Scottish sculptor Tom Whalen on the façade and is part of the Civic Centre, which also houses council offices, and is the focal point of council services for Musselburgh.

The complex was built following a bequest of £700,000 by local businessman John Brunton, the founder of Brunton Wireworks, to the people of Musselburgh for the purpose of creating a community hall. The Town Council supplemented the bequest to incorporate council offices.

The theatre has an interesting hexagonal plan with conjoined rectangles, giving generous wing space to the corner stage. Originally it had no flytower but, following a successful National Lottery bid in 1996, one was built alongside other major improvements to the theatre, including the addition of a restaurant, featuring decorative glasswork by Deborah Campbell, and enhanced front of house provision.

The Brunton Theatre is classified as meaning that the council must manage it in accordance with existing statutory and non-statutory duties. This includes community involvement in decisions regarding the Brunton, including how it is used or disposed of.

Why is this theatre at risk?

The theatre was added to the Theatres at Risk Register in 2025.

The Brunton Theatre closed in March 2023 due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

RAAC panels (Siporex roof slabs) were identified above all performance venues and within several other areas of the complex. Remedial measures were able to be installed within the Brunton Hall allowing council offices to remain open. However, unfortunately, the closure of one part of the complex has had negative impact on the other including a noticeable decline in the working environment (air quality and heating), and there has since been a recommendation for all staff to be relocated.  

A detailed conditions report undertaken in autumn 2024 indicated significant water ingress resulting in deterioration of some of the roof panels and presenting an ongoing risk of failure of these panels. The council has put safety arrangements in place to mitigate the risk associated with these roof panels. However, there is additional concern that, should the roof panels fail, there would be a significant risk of disruption to asbestos-containing materials below, with possible release of asbestos fibres into the air.

In October 2024, a report to the East Lothian Council presented costed options for the future of the theatre and Brunton Hall, ranging from the addition of remedial measures to replacement of the RAAC panels and complete refurbishment of the building. It also included an option for demolition and reprovision.

The recommendation that was passed was to mothball the building and, as it is a Common Good Asset, for the council to consult on the proposal to demolish the building prior to a decision being taken on future reprovision. The council has also committed to undertake a ‘place-based development project to prepare viable options for the future service delivery and accommodation of the arts in the Musselburgh area’.

The future of the venue hangs in the balance and whatever option is decided upon – whether refurbishment or reprovision - will be at significant cost and take many years to come to fruition.

Theatre potential

The Brunton was an active and popular venue prior to discovery of RAAC. Since the building’s closure the Brunton Theatre Trust, which operated the venue, has continued to run a programme of events and educational initiatives at alternative venues. While events have been popular, none of the venues has the capacities or technical capabilities of the theatre. Not all locations are easily accessible to residents of Musselburgh, although use of alternative locations has engaged some new audiences in other areas of East Lothian. There is also an increased cost to Brunton Theatre Trust to continue to operate in this manner due to reductions in income and higher operating costs which could impact the Trust’s future viability.

Brunton Theatre Trust also remains committed to continuing its support of local amateur and community performance groups and has pledged to help them find alternative spaces for their performances and to provide professional technical, front of house and box office services.

Current situation

There is much sadness among local residents, theatre audiences and users, the Brunton Theatre Trust and local councillors that the building is considered beyond repair and is to be mothballed with a recommendation to demolish. There is clear support to retain a theatre in Musselburgh. An online petition, demanding that, should the Brunton need to be demolished, a new theatre be built, has received over 1,600 signatures. The Brunton Theatre Trust and councillors have likewise called for a new replacement purpose-built theatre in the case of the Brunton’s demolition. There is clear will from all parties to ensure that arts and culture firmly remain at the heart of East Lothian.

The Brunton is an interesting building architecturally. The architects selected for the project, Rowand Anderson Kinimonth and Paul, are of note, and were working on the unbuilt Edinburgh ‘opera house’ during the same period. Should the council decide to demolish the Brunton, there should be further research to understand more about the architectural standing of the building and photographic recordings made.

Theatres Trust has been in contact with both the Brunton Theatre Trust and the council and will continue to engage with both parties to ensure either a full refurbishment or a suitable replacement theatre is provided, as well as ensuring that arts and culture provision continues within the area in the interim.

Main photo, The Brunton Theatre, Ian Grundy