The Scottish Arts Council has started an email Newsletter about the
National Theatre of Scotland. The first edition has been produced and
we reproduce it here:
Welcome to the first newsletter of the fledgling National Theatre
of Scotland (NToS). It is designed to keep all interested parties
informed as the Theatre takes shape and key appointments are made.
We intend to publish monthly.
The Scottish Arts Council is leading the process of establishing
the NToS in the interim period prior to the appointment of the Chair,
Board of Directors, and the Creative Director. Once these appointments
have been made, all decisions will be handed over to the Chair and
Board, within the structure of a funding agreement with the Council.
The Stage Is Set
The announcement of £7.5m of funding for 2004/05 and 2005/06
for the first National Theatre of Scotland has been widely welcomed
by the theatre community, and indeed most people in Scotland.
For theatre professionals and many in the wider arts community,
the news was particularly good for two reasons. Firstly, because of
the substantial sum of money dedicated to the project. Secondly, the
model envisaged and announced by the Minister for Tourism, Culture
and Sport, Frank McAveety, was an endorsement of the work of the Group.
It is also important to recognise that the new funds are completely
separate from Scottish Executive theatre funding for existing touring
and building-based theatres in Scotland. The objective is to provide
a rich cultural experience for all groups and to expand the theatre
audience in Scotland overall. The NToS will work with other theatre
companies to avoid duplication or unhelpful competition.
In summary, the model adopted for the National Theatre of Scotland
is as follows:
- The National Theatre of Scotland will commission existing theatres
and theatre companies, or bring together directors, writers, designers
and performers in new combinations to create productions that will
play in theatres and other venues up and down the country
- The National Theatre of Scotland will develop a quality repertoire
originating in Scotland. This will include new work, existing work,
and the drama of other countries and cultures to which a range of
Scottish insights, language and sensibility can be applied
- The National Theatre will also look beyond Scotland for inspiration,
and stimulate interest in Scottish culture from other countries
and cultures. The work will reflect the diversity of Scotland's
cultures
- Quality, colour, spectacle and radical ideas will be at a premium
as will events that use new techniques and ways of creating exciting
theatre
- The National Theatre of Scotland will not have a theatre building
of its own. It will present work in the existing network of theatres
and venues, or exciting venues annexed for the occasion
- Venues used to host NToS productions will range from small-scale
productions that can play in schools and village halls all over
Scotland to large shows that will appear in the main city centre
venues
- Work will also be toured abroad when appropriate
A huge debt of thanks is owed to the members of the Independent Working
Group who examined in detail the requirements of theatre professionals
and theatregoers, and who consulted widely with regard to the proposed
model for the National Theatre of Scotland between mid-2000 and May
2001.
The membership of the Group was as follows:
- Donald Smith, Chair, National Storytelling Association;
- Denis Agnew, Theatre Practitioner;
- Maggi Allan, South Lanarkshire's Director of Education;
- James Brining, Director of Dundee Rep and former Director, TAG
Theatre Company;
- Hamish Glen, former Dundee Rep Artistic Director;
- Iain Macauley Arts Development Officer, Scottish Borders Council;
- Joyce McMillan, Broadcaster and writer;
- Vladimir Mirodan, chairman of the Conference of Drama Schools;
- Janet Paisley, Writer;
- Shona Powell, former Director of The Lemon Tree, Aberdeen;
- Jean Urquhart, Director, The Ceilidh Place.
NToS Easterhouse Cultural Campus
It is intended that the National Theatre's administrative office
will be based in Glasgow and the preferred location, in the Greater
Easterhouse Cultural Campus, Glasgow, is being actively pursued. The
Cultural Campus is due to open in 2005.
The Greater Easterhouse Cultural Campus includes The Arts Factory,
Easterhouse swimming pool and John Wheatley College. We welcome the
opportunity to be part of the growing arts scene in East Glasgow and
the spin-offs this prestigious presence will bring to the local community.
In the interim period prior to the completion of the venue, the
Board will find a temporary office location, possibly sharing space
with an existing arts organisation.
More information will follow on the Greater Easterhouse Cultural
Campus as further details are available.
What now?
A recruitment panel has been established to recruit the Chair of
the NToS, the Board and the Creative Director.
Membership of the panel is as follows:
- James Boyle, Chairman, Scottish Arts Council;
- Graham Berry, Director, Scottish Arts Council,
- Joyce McMillan, Writer and Broadcaster;
- James Brining, Director of Dundee Rep and former Director of TAG
Theatre Company;
- Donald Smith, Chair, National Storytelling Association;
- Dr Chris Masters, Chair, Festival City Theatres Trust.
Bob Irvine, Scottish Executive, David Taylor, Head of Drama, Scottish
Arts Council, and Victoria Goodsman of Saxton Bampfylde Hever advise
the group.
It is expected that the Chair will be announced in December 2003
and thereafter the Board will be appointed. The advertisement for
the Chair and Board of Directors is already in the press. In Spring
2004, the Creative Director will be appointed.
Have Your Say
Scottish Arts Council has organised a Public Forum on Drama to be
held on 16 December 2003 at the Holyrood Hotel, Edinburgh. This forum
will focus on the National Theatre of Scotland and in particular how
it will listen to and reflect the needs of the people of Scotland.
Places are limited, so to register to attend the Forum, or for further
information please email: drama.forum@scottisharts.org.uk
Scottish Arts Council
November 2003
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