Events and Programming
Perth College UHI now trades as UHI Perth , and its principal public performance space is the Goodlyburn Theatre in the Goodlyburn Building. This is not a conventional receiving theatre with shows every night. Its programme follows the academic year and is shaped by Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, Theatre Industry Practice, Music, Music Business and Audio Engineering courses, supplemented by community hires, youth productions, awards ceremonies and occasional private events.
The most complete verified picture of recent programming begins in 2021, when students completed a full production of Fame after pandemic restrictions had interrupted live performance, although it was presented without a conventional public audience. The 2021–22 cohort staged Shrek the Musical , followed in 2022–23 by The Little Mermaid . A separate 2023 production of Little Shop of Horrors demonstrated the department’s continuing preference for recognisable, technically ambitious musicals.
The 2024 spring season was especially busy, with Into the Woods , Fame , Bonnie and Clyde and Pippin . These productions involved performers, stage managers, lighting and sound students, set and prop teams and Theatre Industry Practice students, making the theatre as much a live training environment as an audience venue. Popular Music students also appear in showcases, although some degree showcases take place elsewhere in Perth rather than inside Goodlyburn.
Verified 2025 productions included Little Women , The Threepenny Opera and The Rocky Horror Show . The latter encouraged dressing up and audience participation but carried a recommendation for audiences aged 16 and over. Goodlyburn also hosted the 2025 OBI Awards, attended by Scotland’s First Minister and celebrating almost 500 nominations across the UHI Perth community.
The 2026 programme confirmed the venue’s dual identity as a student theatre and community hire space. It included Footloose , Hadestown: Teen Edition , Dear Evan Hansen , Legally Blonde The Musical JR , The Full Monty and Come From Away . A summer performing-arts camp concluded with a professionally supported family performance, while an invitation-only Perth and Kinross Apprentice Awards ceremony was announced for September 2026.
Beyond 2026, Disney’s Frozen JR is licensed for performances at Goodlyburn Theatre on 5 and 6 March 2027. UHI Perth has also published campus open days extending into March 2027, although these are campus-wide events rather than standard theatre performances. The programming pattern suggests future public seasons will continue to concentrate on student musicals, youth theatre, local amateur productions and educational or civic ceremonies.
Tickets and Booking
The live event listing accompanying this guide should be the first place to check for performances currently on sale. Goodlyburn does not operate one universal year-round ticket arrangement: UHI Perth productions, community hires and private ceremonies may each have different booking rules. Public musicals commonly go on sale several weeks before the run, with evening performances and a Saturday matinee typical for multi-night productions.
Recent public prices provide a useful guide rather than a permanent tariff. In 2025, standard musical tickets generally cost about £10 to £14 , with lower rates for children or students and occasional booking charges. A 2026 community production of Come From Away started at approximately £13.50, while the audience ticket for a youth summer-camp finale was £5. Awards ceremonies, showcases and student activities may instead be free or invitation-only.
Book early for a well-known musical, a short three- or four-performance run, or a production involving a popular local youth company. With fewer than 200 seats, one cast’s family and supporters can account for a significant portion of availability. Door sales should be treated as a possibility rather than a guarantee, and age guidance, concessions and refund conditions should be checked for the individual production.
About Perth College UHI and Goodlyburn Theatre
The institution began in 1961 as a further-education centre before moving to the Crieff Road campus, whose Brahan Building was formally opened in October 1971. The original campus building used red facing brick, copper roof facings and subdued olive-green window frames, chosen to sit sympathetically within the former Brahan House estate. The old house’s tree-lined approach survives in the alignment of the campus access road.
The campus subsequently expanded to include Goodlyburn, Webster, student residences and the Academy of Sport and Wellbeing, which opened in 2016. In 2023 the organisation adopted the name UHI Perth, replacing Perth College UHI in its public identity. Visitors may still encounter the former name on older tickets, licensing records, maps and event listings.
Goodlyburn itself began as a local-authority secondary school complex dating from around 1957. A purpose-built two-storey addition from approximately 1997 contains the reception, five recording studios, eight music practice rooms, IT facilities and the studio theatre used for performances today. No reliable published source confirms a separate opening date for the theatre, so the 1997 extension is the most defensible point in its architectural history.
UHI Perth remains open and the theatre continues to trade under the Goodlyburn name. A 2025 estates review considered Goodlyburn essential to the institution’s creative courses and recommended against closure in the short to medium term. The theatre is also actively hired by local groups, with plans identifying scope to increase external use.
Seating and Layout
The current public venue-hire information lists the Goodlyburn Performance Theatre at 147 seats . A separate academic facilities description calls it a 175-seat theatre with retractable seating. This discrepancy probably reflects different configurations or historical reporting, so ticket buyers should rely on the seating plan supplied for their particular event rather than assuming the larger figure.
Retractable seating allows the room to support conventional seated theatre, rehearsals and larger open-floor activities. There is no permanently advertised VIP area, balcony or premium lounge. Most musicals use a seated auditorium, while production-specific staging may bring performers into the aisles or alter the relationship between stage and audience. Little Women , for example, was promoted as an immersive production with actors appearing in the aisles while spectators remained seated.
For balanced sound, lighting and a complete view of choreography, central seats in the middle portion of the auditorium are the safest choice. Front seats provide greater facial detail and immediacy but may require more head movement during dance-heavy productions. Rear seats offer a useful overview of lighting, projections and scenic automation. No consistently obstructed area is documented, but aisle activity and temporary technical positions can vary between productions.
Architecture and Production Facilities
Goodlyburn’s character comes from the combination of a converted mid-century school and a specialist late-1990s creative-industries extension. It feels more like a working production department than an ornate civic theatre: studios, practice rooms, classrooms and technical spaces surround the auditorium, encouraging performers, designers, engineers and stage managers to work together in one building.
The theatre has retractable seating, an in-house lighting system and both digital and analogue console options. Published student testimony identifies a Logic Systems line-array sound system and Midas Pro Series mixing desks. The wider department contains five recording studios, three acoustically designed by Eastlake Audio, plus a 5.1 surround post-production room and specialist computer suites.
Its technical capacity is substantial for a small auditorium. The 2026 Dear Evan Hansen production reportedly involved nearly 200 lighting cues, around 100 AV cues, sound cues and revolve movements. Exact stage dimensions, grid height, loading access, power distribution and current equipment inventory have not been reliably published, so visiting producers should request an event-specific technical schedule rather than working from estimates.
Recent estates plans included air-conditioning work and a proposed theatre-lighting upgrade, but published committee papers did not confirm completion of every item. Campus road and access repairs were also under way during August 2026, with the institution advising visitors to follow temporary signage while remaining open.
Getting There and Parking
Goodlyburn Theatre is on the UHI Perth campus at Crieff Road, Perth, PH1 2NX . Drivers should follow signs for the Goodlyburn Building rather than stopping at the more prominent Brahan entrance. The campus map places the theatre close to Goodlyburn’s main entrance and adjacent car park, with toilets, stairs and a lift shown within the building.
Campus parking is currently free, with no general visitor permit required. Spaces are monitored, so vehicles must remain within marked bays and clear of double yellow lines. There are car parks at Goodlyburn and around Brahan, plus overflow parking behind Brahan accessed from Appin Crescent. The main car park is open continuously, while published campus material indicates that some rear parking may close in the evening.
Bus services 1, 2 and 70 connect the Crieff Road campus with Perth, while service 15 runs between Perth and Crieff and includes college journeys. Perth railway and bus stations are close to each other in the city centre; from there, a connecting local bus or taxi is normally more convenient than walking with luggage or in poor weather.
There is no formally published rideshare bay specifically for the theatre. Drivers should use the signed Goodlyburn approach and avoid blocking campus roads or neighbouring access. A free lockable cycle park is available in the main campus car park. Allow extra time at the beginning of term, when parking is busiest, and before sold-out community productions.
Inside the Venue
Event audiences enter an active educational building rather than a standalone entertainment complex. Access is managed for authorised visitors, and CCTV operates across the campus. Admission arrangements range from ticket scanning or name checks to private guest registration for ceremonies. The institution reserves the right to refuse admission, while the event organiser is responsible for audience supervision and safety.
Toilets and lift access are marked on the Goodlyburn floor plan. The building has a refectory and a café-style hot-drinks service during daytime teaching hours, but these normally close before an evening performance. Some productions arrange a temporary bar selling alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks before the show and during the interval; this is event-specific, not a permanent theatre bar.
No permanent cloakroom, merchandise counter or public theatre restaurant is advertised. Merchandise, if offered, will belong to the production. Campus rooms have Wi-Fi, although public access for ticket holders is not guaranteed. Photography and recording require permission under the venue’s standard hire conditions, and individual productions may impose stricter no-phone rules.
Nearby Amenities
The campus’s Treetops training restaurant can be an unusual pre-show option when its term-time schedule matches the performance. Published service includes Tuesday evening dinners, generally between 5.30pm and 9pm, with a three-course set menu recently priced around £27. It is student-operated and booking is advisable. Campus cafés and the Goodlyburn refectory are better suited to daytime events than evening theatre.
Crieff Road has supermarkets and casual food shopping, including a large supermarket farther along the road and a discount food shop roughly five minutes’ walk from campus. For a broader choice of restaurants, pubs and post-show drinks, Perth city centre is more practical. Plan a taxi or check the final bus before an evening performance, especially on Sundays.
Nearby accommodation includes Holiday Inn Express Perth, Travelodge Perth A9 and Mercure Perth, while smaller guest houses and city-centre hotels provide alternatives. UHI Perth’s student residence operates as visitor accommodation during part of the summer, subject to availability, but it is not a year-round public hotel.
What Makes This Venue Special
Goodlyburn is unusual because students do not merely perform on its stage. They design, rig, mix, programme, build, manage and call the productions. Accounts from students repeatedly describe the combined work of music, audio and technical-theatre courses as creating the atmosphere of a professional gig, while retaining the close support and experimentation of an educational setting.
The venue also provides affordable, appropriately scaled facilities for Perth youth companies and community groups. Its intimacy has suited folk concerts, musicals, circus productions, awards and workshops; one review of a live Jim Malcolm recording described the singer as relaxed and among friends in the Goodlyburn setting. Independent recent visitor reviews are limited, so broad claims about customer service or comfort would not be justified.
The wider institution has a measurable regional effect. An assessment based on 2018–19 activity estimated that Perth College UHI contributed £113 million in gross value added and supported 1,250 jobs across Perth and Kinross. Conferences and events accounted for an estimated £0.3 million and ten local jobs, while the student community contributed through spending, work placements and volunteering. These figures cover the whole institution, not Goodlyburn alone, but they show the ecosystem surrounding the theatre.
Visitor Tips and Information
Arrive around 30 minutes before a ticketed performance. The campus contains several buildings, and first-time visitors sometimes head to Brahan rather than Goodlyburn. Dress is generally casual unless an invitation specifies otherwise. Age restrictions depend on content: recent productions have ranged from family shows to 13+, 16+ and strictly adult performances.
The three main campus buildings have ramped access points and lifts to major areas, while accessible parking bays and a lift are identified around Goodlyburn. Visitors requiring wheelchair positions, companion seating, step-free routes or other adjustments should declare those requirements during booking because seating arrangements change with each production. A hearing loop and a fixed number of wheelchair spaces have not been publicly confirmed.
There is no published universal bag-size rule. Bring only what you need, keep aisles clear and follow instructions from event staff. Smoking and vaping are restricted to designated outdoor shelters away from entrances. Do not assume photography is permitted, even during a curtain call, and silence phones before entering the auditorium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perth College UHI still called Perth College UHI?
No. The institution adopted the public name UHI Perth in 2023. Older event records, maps and licensing documents may still use Perth College UHI or Perth College. The performance venue itself is normally identified as Goodlyburn Theatre or Goodlyburn Performance Theatre, within UHI Perth’s Crieff Road campus.
What is the capacity of Goodlyburn Theatre?
The current public venue-hire listing gives a capacity of 147. An academic facilities page describes a 175-seat theatre with retractable seating. Because configurations may differ, use the capacity and seating plan attached to the specific event. It is safest to regard Goodlyburn as an intimate, sub-200-seat auditorium.
What events are usually held at Perth College UHI?
The core programme consists of student musicals, theatre showcases, live-music activity and technical productions. Community youth companies and amateur groups also hire Goodlyburn for full-scale musicals. Awards ceremonies, educational events and private functions appear occasionally, while open days and sports or wellbeing events take place elsewhere across the wider campus.
How much do tickets normally cost?
Recent public musicals have generally charged approximately £10 to £14, with concessions for children or students and occasional booking fees. Small youth showcases can cost less, while private ceremonies may be free but invitation-only. Prices depend on the producer rather than a permanent UHI Perth tariff.
Can I buy tickets at the door?
Door sales may be available when seats remain, but they are not guaranteed. Goodlyburn’s small capacity means popular local shows can fill quickly, particularly Saturday performances and productions involving large youth casts. Advance booking through the event’s authorised sales channel is the safer option, and some private events require pre-registration.
Is seating reserved or general admission?
This varies by production. Most full musicals use a seated auditorium and may offer allocated seats, but retractable seating allows the room to be configured differently. There is no permanent VIP, balcony or standing section. Review the event’s booking information carefully rather than assuming the layout will match a previous visit.
Where should I sit for the best view?
Central seats in the middle rows should provide the most balanced view of acting, choreography, scenery and lighting. Choose the front for intimacy and facial detail, or farther back for a complete view of projections and stage movement. Aisle seats can be engaging during immersive productions but may involve performers passing close by.
Is parking free at UHI Perth?
Yes. General campus parking charges have been removed, and visitors do not normally require a permit. Parking remains monitored, so use marked bays and keep yellow lines, entrances and access routes clear. Goodlyburn has an adjacent car park, with additional main and overflow parking elsewhere on campus.
Which buses serve UHI Perth?
Services 1, 2 and 70 are the principal local buses serving the Crieff Road campus. Service 15 also operates between Perth and Crieff, with college-related journeys. Timetables can change, especially in evenings and at weekends, so allow enough time for the final connection after a performance.
Is Goodlyburn Theatre near Perth railway station?
The theatre is not immediately beside the station. Perth railway and bus stations are close together in the city centre, from where a local bus or taxi provides the easiest onward journey to Crieff Road. Walking is possible, but it is less attractive with luggage, after dark or during poor weather.
Is Goodlyburn Theatre wheelchair accessible?
The campus publishes ramped access to its principal buildings, lifts to major areas and accessible parking provision. Goodlyburn’s map shows a lift and ground-floor facilities. Because retractable seating can change the auditorium layout, wheelchair positions and companion arrangements should be requested when booking rather than left until arrival.
Does the theatre have a hearing loop?
A permanent induction loop is not confirmed in the publicly available venue specifications. Visitors who use hearing assistance should request the current provision for their particular performance. The institution supports people with hearing impairments in its educational services, but that does not automatically confirm a fixed auditorium system.
Can I buy food and drinks inside?
Goodlyburn has daytime catering and hot-drinks facilities, but these generally close before evening performances. Some productions provide a temporary bar before the show and during the interval under an occasional licence. Do not assume every performance will offer refreshments, and follow event-specific rules concerning drinks inside the auditorium.
Are bags searched at the entrance?
No universal public bag or search policy has been published for Goodlyburn. Entry procedures are determined by the event’s organiser and the campus security arrangements. Bring a small bag, avoid bulky luggage and keep aisles clear. Event staff may refuse items that create a safety, security or obstruction concern.
Can I photograph or film the performance?
The venue’s standard conditions require prior permission for photography, filming or recording. Individual productions may impose stricter rules, including complete phone bans. Unless the organiser clearly announces that photographs are allowed, keep devices switched off and put away throughout the performance, including during musical numbers and audience participation.
Are there age restrictions?
There is no single venue-wide minimum age. Family and junior productions welcome children, while recent shows have carried recommendations of 13+ or 16+. Adult community theatre may be restricted to over-18s because of language, nudity or mature themes. Check the production guidance before purchasing a child’s ticket.
What should I wear?
Casual clothing is suitable for most musicals and student showcases. Costume dress-up may be encouraged for productions such as The Rocky Horror Show , while awards ceremonies can specify smart evening wear. Wear comfortable footwear if travelling by bus or walking across campus, and bring a waterproof layer for Perth’s changeable weather.
What has been announced for 2027?
Disney’s Frozen JR is licensed for Goodlyburn Theatre on 5 and 6 March 2027. UHI Perth has also announced open days in January and March 2027, although those are campus events rather than theatre productions. Further student seasons are likely to be announced around the academic timetable.
