Brunton Theatre appoints new trustees

East Lothian-based charity Brunton Theatre Trust has welcomed six new trustees to its board.

They include theatre director TONY COWNIE, digital and marketing consultant NICOLA KENNY and dance artist LEWIS NORMAND.

“As a relatively new resident in Musselburgh, I can see how [the trust’s] work and the building play such an important role in the community and I am determined to see that continue,” Kenny said.

The trio are joined by marketing and communications professional at the University of Edinburgh EMMA PIRIE, executive director of Catherine Wheels Theatre Company TONY REEKIE and senior producer at Imaginate PAMELA WALKER.

“I am particularly keen to support the trust’s future development and its commitment to accessibility and creative learning, ensuring that the arts continue to thrive as a vibrant and vital part of our community,” Pirie said.

The new trustees are joining five existing board members that will all work together in overseeing the financial and strategic direction of the trust.

The recruitment comes shortly after the trust successfully applied to Creative Scotland’s multi-year funding for 2025-2028. Last October, it called for urgent support after its home for the last 30 years, Brunton Hall, was closed with immediate effect following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the building in early 2023.

Since the closure, the trust has been using alternative spaces across the East Lothian area to deliver a programme of arts events and says it is now “working on a longer-term plan to strengthen the organisation and the customer experience in these spaces, until the Brunton Hall is replaced”.