Meet our remarkable host venue, The Montrose Playhouse. Built in 1964 as the town's public swimming baths, this iconic building lay dormant after its closure in 2010.
But fast forward to 2021, and the Montrose Playhouse made a splash of a different kind, opening its doors as a community-owned cinema and arts hub!
Its story? Sparked by a single design sketch by David Paton, the Montrose community rallied together to breathe life into this architectural gem. Through thick and thin (and even a pandemic), local volunteers and generous funding turned a dream into reality. And they did so, ensuring every detail captured its swimming history. Look closely, and you'll see the 'Deep End' signs, repurposed diving board seats, and a nod to the original changing rooms.
With an ethos rooted in inclusivity, accessibility, and community, this venue isn't just a cinema. It stands as Montrose’s beacon for arts, culture, and social change. As a testament to community spirit and the magic of reinvention, it’s the perfect stage for LandxSea Film Fest.
As our festival plunges into a collection of short films celebrating wild swimming, there’s no place more fitting than the Montrose Playhouse. Its history evokes the sheer delight of swimming - of every joyful splash and determined stroke that echoed in its walls. In tribute, our festival’s Montrose Beach Dook is not just a celebration of this aquatic past, but also an invitation to the next generation to embrace the waters. Dive into memories, and make new ones with us!
See the Swim Stories films on 16th September at the Montrose Playhouse, and then join our beach dook the next morning.
