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All Change at Websters

Over the past 11 years the former Lansdowne Church on Great Western Road – with its familiar
slender spire – has been operating as Websters Theatre. Some exciting changes are planned at Websters with a new tenant found to occupy the ground floor on a full time and long term basis. From September 2025 the building will become the new home for the iconic Stand Comedy Club, which will move from its existing premises just round the corner on Woodlands Road.

The Stand will provide its regular programme of comedy events at Websters, which is a charity belonging to Fact Three. It was set up by the trustees of Four Acres Charitable Trust, who have undertaken the extensive restoration of the beautiful building and are committed to its sustainable future. This followed the example of Cottiers Hyndland, which the Trust had been restoring for many years, and which is well known as a popular West End arts and wedding venue.

Stained Glass Museum

Websters was named after Alf Webster, whose stained glass is recognised as being among the
finest in Scotland. Fact Three has been raising funds to restore his two main windows in the
building and make them the centrepiece of a major new visitor attraction – a stained glass museum sited on the upper gallery.

Stained Glass Restoration

The gallery will also provide a working area for the specialists involved in the stained glass
restoration, providing an opportunity for visitors to the gallery to view them at work. Traditional skills
of this kind are a dwindling resource, and part of the funding will be earmarked for training so as to
expand the pool of skilled stained glass restorers. It is hoped that work on the gallery will start later
in 2025.

Pantomime

Since 2013 the ground floor below the gallery has had a largely seasonal use for drama
productions, music and comedy shows. Particularly successful has been a regular pantomime which has
run for over 10 years.

Following the transition to the Stand, the pantomime and a number of other popular productions
and performances that have taken place at Websters, will move to Cottiers – with ‘A Cottiers
Christmas Carol’ running throughout December.  You can be book the panto online.

Websters has hosted many memorable shows and events, and the trustees wish to thank
everyone who has contributed over the past decade. They are confident that, by offering a year
round comedy hub, the Stand will increase the presence and profile of the building for many years
to come – a new chapter for the Stand and a new chapter for this historic landmark in Glasgow.

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