A small theatre which also served as Shetland's only cinema, the Garrison Theatre is located on the corner of Market Street and Anderson Place in Lerwick. With 280 seats, the theatre hosts a range of community and professional performances, including live theatre, standup comedy, concerts, pantomime and dance, in addition to its film programme. Events include the Shetland Folk Festival and Shetland Drama Festival.
Built in 1904 as the Lerwick Drill Hall and Gymnasium for the army, it became the headquarters of the 7th Volunteer Battalion of the Gordon Highlanders. Used as a drill hall in the First World War, it was converted to a theatre during the Second World War to provide a venue for the entertainment of the thousands of troops stationed in Shetland. Stars performing here at that time included George Formby and Gracie Fields. After the war, the theatre became the responsibility of Zetland County Council, who took ownership in 1966. The hall was refurbished by Shetland Islands Council in 1989 and 1995-96 and is now run by Shetland Arts Development Agency.
Since the opening of the Mareel complex in 2012, the importance of the Garrison has declined and it is no longer used as a cinema.