Scottish Music Hall and Variety Theatre Society

15/04/2026

We are delighted to hear that our President Maureen Beattie will be appearing in the following.

From Pitlochry Theatre.

Meet the two Scottish powerhouse performers leading our Lear cast!

Scottish stage icon, Maureen Beattie, whose illustrious career spans some of the greatest UK stages from Royal Shakespeare Company and National Theatre, to the London Coliseum alongside screen roles in Deadwater Fell and Outlander. Now she takes on the towering role of the monarch whose decision to test her daughters’ love unravels both family and kingdom.👑

Alongside her, the brilliant Forbes Masson plays Gloucester - currently appearing in The High Life - The Musical and widely recognised for his work across stage and screen, including Jamie Lloyd’s Much Ado About Nothing, The Crown and Eastenders.

See them join forces in Shakespeare’s Lear as you’ve never seen it before - a visceral, striking new adaptation by Finn den Hertog only at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

📆 4 Jul - 1 Aug 2026
🎟️ Book your tickets now via link.

https://www.pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com/whats-on/lear/

15/04/2026

From The Steamie page.

🏆 A massive congratulations to the man of every moment, Tony Roper, who was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Recognition of Services to Scottish Entertainment by Scottish Music Hall and Variety Theatre Society 🏆

A well earned honour fur a man we widnae be here without ❤️

Please book your tickets for the stage tour of The Steamie here

https://rerrterr.com/

15/04/2026

From Louise McCarthy

What a day ❤️

An absolute honour to do a speech for Tony as he received his Lifetime Achievement Award from Scottish Music Hall and Variety Theatre Society.

A brilliant celebration and a room full of people who’ve laughed because of him.

Very special and very well deserved 👏

08/02/2026

It is with great sadness that Scottish Music Hall and Variety Theatre Society member and Variety/Pantomime performer Fay Lenore Scott who famously shared the stage with stars including Rikki Fulton and Stanley Baxter has died at the age of 97.

The singer and actress, who first graced theatres with her talents at just 18 months old, passed away last month at Ythanvale Care Home, in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, her family have revealed.

Born Mary Leonora Faith Dodwell in March 1928 into a showbiz family in Newcastle, the star enjoyed a glittering career spanning more than six decades. A tribute to Fay will feature in the Summer edition of Stagedoor.

12/12/2025

Today we are deeply saddened by the news that Stanley Baxter has died.

Stanley, thank you so much for all the joy, laughter and tears that you brought to millions over your long outstanding career.

Scotland has lost a son, but one who will always be remembered and will never be forgotten.

RIP Stanley.

30/07/2025

Dear Members and Friends,

A message from Maureen Beattie.
__________________________________________

Dear friends who are on Facebook,

As some of you know I am on the steering group which is fighting to save the beautiful A-listed Winter Garden in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute in the Clyde estuary. I know you are all incredibly busy with other things so I'll keep this short.

The Scottish government - for reasons which pass understanding - are closing all the visitor information centres in the country in October this year. This includes the Winter Garden. We are currently negotiating to save the building for the community. If all goes well the first phase of the handover will be us taking over the running of the cinema in the building on 17th October.

My earnest plea to you is please will you follow/befriend the Winter Garden on Facebook? The more followers/friends we have the better it looks for the future. (Link below.)

I hope some day those of you who have not yet visited this beautiful island will be able to come and experience the glory of the Winter Garden for yourselves.

Thank you all so much.

Maureen xx

https://www.facebook.com/share/1HvCNhuxCy/

We are a small steering group set up to specifically explore the possibility of acquiring the Winter Garden from Visit Scotland - to provide an enhanced cinema with arts, entertainment and associated facilities for the benefit of the island community.

07/04/2025

A fantastic photograph from yesterday and a fantastic day.

🎉 Congratulations Allan & Grant on your Lifetime Achievement Awards from The Scottish Music Hall and Variety Theatre Society! 🏆

You've made us (and the whole of Edinburgh) laugh for years, and brought so much joy to our stages.

Presented by Honorary President Maureen Beattie, this award honours services to Scottish entertainment.

Well deserved! We can't wait to have you back pals 👏