A plaque to celebrate famed theatre architect Frank Matcham has been unveiled at Aberdeen’s historic His Majesty’s Theatre.
The plaque was officially unveiled by members of the Frank Matcham Society on Friday, June 26, taking a prominent place on the front of the A-listed theatre. The building is one of
the most beloved cultural landmarks in the city, and was one of more than 80 theatres across the UK designed by Matcham before opening its doors in 1906.
The new addition to the theatre, which is run by Aberdeen Performing Arts, comes as HMT celebrates 120 years at the heart of the city, with events taking place throughout the year alongside a fundraising campaign to raise £120,000 in 2026.
Money raised will enable Aberdeen Performing Arts to expand engagement programmes to reach more young people and communities and grow Light the Blue, the festival that provides young artists with a platform to perform, create, and connect, and inspire future talent, ensuring that His Majesty’s Theatre continues to thrive as a cultural hub for the city.
Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive, Sharon Burgess, said: “The unveiling of the plaque comes as we reach the halfway point in our year of celebrations and fundraising campaign. We have been blown away by the enthusiasm and support for our beautiful venue so far, HMT really is such a special place for so many.
“There are still lots of ways to get involved and more celebrations to come as we continue towards our fundraising target and it would be great to see as many people supporting these events as possible.”
On Saturday, July 25 an Open Day will offer the chance to explore the famous theatre and peek behind the scenes free of charge with an option to donate, as the doors are opened to celebrate HMT 120. Visitors will be able to look around the new and old sections of His Majesty’s at their own pace, with volunteer tour guides on hand to answer questions.
The Open Day will also offer an opportunity to hear from HMT Audio Describers in a free but ticketed informal Introduction to Audio Description. This relaxed talk is ideal for anyone curious about using the service, as well as family members, friends, or supporters of visually impaired audience members who want to understand it better.
Other HMT 120 events include a Fierce Beer Pairing on Friday, July 24 and a milestone Opera Gala event on Thursday, November 12, offering a rare opportunity to experience iconic opera pieces in a classic concert setting, performed by artists of the highest calibre. It is an evening designed to honour the theatre’s legacy, recognise its place at the heart of Aberdeen, and celebrate the cultural generosity that has sustained it for 120 years.
Further information on all HMT 120 events is here: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/hmt-120/