The original Byre Theatre was founded in 1933 by a local freelance journalist and playwright named Alexander B Paterson with help from Hope Park Church’s theatre group. Together they renovated a semi-derelict cow byre (leased from the Council for £10 per annum) and quickly transformed it into a space able to accommodate their theatrical output. This marked the beginning of the St Andrews Play Club, which still performs at the theatre to this day.

The current building (the third to have that name) was designed by award-winning architects Nicoll Russell Studios of Broughty Ferry and opened by Sean Connery in 2001. It contains a 216-seat main auditorium and a second 80-seat performance space as well as a conference room, bar/restaurant and extensive foyer and office areas.

The Byre Theatre has been part of the University of St Andrews since 2014, hosting a varied and vibrant programme of University, student, amateur and professional productions of theatre, dance, musicals, music, opera and family focussed performances.

Under the University’s management, the theatre is succeeding in attracting audiences from the town and beyond to enjoy a wide variety of programming across a diverse range of art forms.

For the next phase of its development, our vision is to develop as a vibrant arts hub with a focus on the arts, screen cultures and community engagement.

As a valued part of the national cultural infrastructure, we present a diverse range of professional touring performances of theatre, dance, opera and music for a broad range of audiences. The Byre produces its renowned annual pantomime with Bard In The Botanics, featuring a local youth cast who work alongside the professional cast and creative team and also produces Sands: International Film Festival of St Andrews, and leads the national St Andrews Playwriting Award.