AFTER more than 50 years, Glasgow’s famous Alhambra Theatre has been brought back to life – in miniature model form.

Inspired by his 94-year-old gran and her dancing days, designer Stuart Smith-Gordon created a kit version of the legendary venue, which was famous for its spectacular musicals, premieres and pantomimes.

Stuart, a Glasgow School of Art graduate, started making model kits of theatres during lockdown, as a way of reconnecting with the venues.

“I loved making toy theatres as a child and I thought I could use my skills to create model versions of my favourite theatres for fun,” he says. “There are lots of lovely prints of the exteriors of theatres but none really capture the incredible interiors of the auditoriums.”

His awardwinning Ice Cream at the Interval initiative has been a huge hit, particularly with people looking for unusual gifts for theatre lovers. It also supports theatre charities, with £1 from each £15 kit being donated to good causes.

He has created kits of 35 theatres, including Glasgow’s Citizens, King’s, Theatre Royal and Pavilion. The addition of the Alhambra was, however, inspired by his gran.

Glasgow Times: Stuart's model kit of the Alhambra.

“My nanny, Stella McGoldrick, who is 94 now, grew up in Glasgow and always had a passion for dance as a pastime,” says Stuart.

“She attended Margaret Morris Movement Dance Classes, and was inspired by the Mona Inglesby International Ballet Company, which was founded at the Alhambra.”

Stuart adds: “She has always talked about the anticipation and excitement she felt going to the Alhambra, listening to the stories being told on the stage, and being able to escape to these amazing places.

Glasgow Times: Stella, who inspired her grandson to create the kit.

“When I was younger she used to take me to various theatres, always keen to share her love of the stage, and that is something that has inspired me to this day. I have always had a passion for theatre and dance, and I’ve been to many productions over the years, and performed in and staged some in my spare time.

“I never got the chance to visit the Alhambra, so when she suggested I create it as a model, I sourced black and white archive photographs to help me create it and to bring back some fond memories for my nanny.”

Glasgow Times: Stella and Stuart

He smiles: “She was the first person to see the finished product and she was delighted.”

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Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre was built in 1910 on the corner of Waterloo and Wellington Streets in the city centre.

Mona Inglesby, who inspired Stella, was a well-known dancer who premiered her company at the Alhambra in 1941. A young Moira Shearer, famous Scottish ballet star, was part of the company, which went on to be Britain’s biggest. Her last productions at the Alhambra were in the 1950s.

Many celebrities performed at the Alhambra, which also became the home of the Five Past Eight Show, with - among others - Stanley Baxter, Jimmy Logan and Lionel Blair.

Glasgow Times: Queues outside the Alhambra for the Five Past Eight Show

The theatre closed its doors in 1969 - Cilla Black led the cast and audience in an emotional rendition of Auld Lang Syne at the last ever concert in the venue, on May 24 - and was demolished two years later.

What are your memories of the Alhambra? Get in touch with Times Past to share your stories and photos.