Reactions last weekend as the Adam Smith Theatre reopened its doors – although just for two days – were a mixture of “phew, we made it” from OnFife team members and “wow, look at the difference” from everyone else.

But the unanimous verdict was: “It’s great to be back!” 

The reason for the relief among team members was that they had just days to make it a working venue that was inviting and welcoming for more than 1,000 people attending events linked to the Adam Smith Global Foundation’s Festival of Ideas. 

Although the theatre’s official grand reopening isn’t until September and work is still ongoing in some parts of the building, everyone pulled out all the stops to host a very special Festival of Ideas for this, the 300th anniversary year of Adam Smith’s birth.

That meant OnFife was ‘given’ the keys at the start of the week and had only the narrowest of windows to have the theatre ready in time. 

Audiences knew that the venue is still a work in progress and that the interior is being completed over the summer but there was no mistaking the wow factor as soon as people stepped through the door. They just loved the stand-out new box office, light-filled entrance hall and trendy new bar and café area (albeit with tables and chairs borrowed from the neighbouring Kirkcaldy Galleries!). 

Here’s just a few of the feedback comments: 

“The quality of sound, lighting, visibility, and comfort, were faultless.” 

“Lovely to be back in the theatre – it’s looking so fresh and smart.” 

“It was great to be in the fantastic surroundings of the refurbished Adam Smith. It is so lovely.” 

“Excellent evening. Staff were all very pleasant and welcoming…Well done to all involved in the refurbishment.” 

While the annual Adam Smith Annual Lecture – given by economist and ITV political editor Robert Peston – and a night of conversation with actors Arabella Weir and Elaine C.Smith were the headline events, the audiences for these weren’t the first to enjoy the fantastic new auditorium. 

That honour went to around 200 children from two local primary schools at a Tall Tales book event, organised by OnFife as part of the Festival of Ideas. It seems fitting that, as the Adam Smith Theatre looks forward to its next century, the first through the door were a new generation of theatre-goers!