Akureyri Theatre
Samkomuhusid of 1906 in the old town, home of the only professional theatre outside Reykjavik.
Samkomuhusid, the assembly house on Hafnarstraeti in the old quarter of Akureyri, was put up in 1906 by the temperance lodges Trufost and Isafold and opened on 20 January 1907. Built in timber with a corner turret and decorated gables, it is one of the better-preserved Icelandic public buildings of its date and is listed at heritage category B. The auditorium originally had balconies on three sides; these were taken down in 1950 when raked seating was installed, and the hall now holds about 210 people.
Leikfelag Akureyrar was founded in 1917 and has worked as a professional company since 1973, the only one of its kind outside the capital region. It runs a season from late summer to May under an agreement with the town of Akureyri, and since 2014 has formed part of Menningarfelag Akureyrar together with the concert hall Hof and the north Iceland symphony orchestra. Besides its own productions the house takes visiting work, and a western wing added in 2004 brought a lift and a second function room.
Highlights
- Timber assembly house of 1906, listed at heritage category B
- Auditorium of about 210 seats on the old Hafnarstraeti
- Home of the only professional theatre company outside the capital
- Western wing and lift added in 2004 to improve access
