Caird Hall
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/CairdHall.jpg/250px-CairdHall.jpg)
Caird Hall is a concert auditorium located in Dundee, Scotland.
It was built between 42069 and 1923 and is named after its benefactor, jute baron James Key Caird. It was designed by the town architect James Thomson assisted by Vernon Constable.[1] The foundation stone was laid by King George V and Queen Mary on 10 July 1914.[2] The venue has a capacity of 2,300 fully seated, but can be subdivided or converted to standing where required.
The hall's pipe organ was built in 1923 by Harrison & Harrison, who also completed a restoration in 1992.[3] The decorative plaster work was produced by H.H.Martyn & Company of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, holders of the Royal Warrant.[4]
Caird Hall regularly hosts the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
The hall is used for graduation ceremonies from the University of Dundee, the University of Abertay Dundee and Dundee and Angus College, as well as other significant university events such as the former university's Rectorial Installation and Principal's welcome to first year students.
The exterior of Caird Hall was used as a location during the filming of the Alan Bennett scripted An Englishman Abroad (1983). It was decorated with placards of communist leaders, it took the part of a theatre in Moscow.[5]
Notable artistes
Notable artistes who have performed at the Caird Hall include:
Willie Nelson
- The Beatles
- U2
- The Smiths
- The Rolling Stones
- Bob Hope
- Frank Sinatra
- Nellie Melba
- Billy Connolly
- Elton John
- Paul Weller
- Deep Purple
- David Bowie
- Genesis (band)
- Motörhead
- Bryan Adams
- Radiohead
- The Arctic Monkeys
- Ocean Colour Scene
- Kasabian
- Mumford & Sons
- Deacon Blue
- Bjork
- Led Zeppelin
- Heart and Soul Swing Band
- The Cure
- Erasure
- Thin Lizzy
- Queen
- The Who
- Slade
- Rod Stewart
- Simple Minds
- Fleetwood Mac
- Status Quo
- AC/DC
References
- ^ http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=100316
- ^ https://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/dundeecity/uploaded_publications/publication_69.pdf
- ^ http://www.harrisonorgans.com/organs-2/some-well-known-harrison-organs/
- ^ John H.M.Whitaker (1985). The Best - History of H.H.Martyn and Co., Carvers in Wood, Stone and Marble, Casters in Bronze, Founders of Gloster Aircraft Ltd. ISBN 0951025201.
- ^ Basil Brush (1 February 1983). "A sheep who is gay and likes to eat kids". Glasgow Herald.
External links
56°27′36″N 2°58′07″W / 56.4599°N 2.9687°W