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Welcome Investment in Scottish Theatre
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The announcement today by the Scottish Executive of £3.5m additional investment over three years for theatre has delighted the theatre community across Scotland. While the establishment of the Scottish National Theatre,which FST has been campaigning for, is being delayed, this will allow time to rebuild the existing theatre infrastructure to its full potential in order that the full ambition of the new National Theatre can be realised.
Hamish Glen, Chair of the Federation of Scottish Theatre said:
This additional investment for existing theatre companies is welcome and exciting news for audiences, communities and theatre makers. The Scottish Executive has acknowledged the problems theatre has been facing and this money will go some way to enhancing the ability of theatre companies to present more high quality productions on stage - as well as fulfilling our commitments to education, participation and social inclusion projects. In addition we will be making ourselves ready for the establishment of the Scottish National Theatre.
At the end of the day what we all want to do is deliver great life-enhancing theatre to ever expanding audiences and participants all over the country and to raise the profile of Scottish theatre talent at home and abroad.
Although plans for the Scottish National Theatre are being delayed, it is only right that we sort out the historic problems within the existing theatre network first, since the plans for the new organisation will build on this.
The recent report into the Scottish National Theatre articulates the place of theatre at the centre of Scottish cultural life:
Theatre is a defining art form in Scottish culture. It has strong roots in the dramatic traditions of storytelling, literature, music and artSIn the twentieth century it was theatre which first put distinctively Scottish voices on the cultural map, changed perceptions of Scotland and operated at the cutting edge of political and social change.
Heather Baird, Director of the Federation of Scottish Theatre added:
Theatre companies have been through a difficult few years with standstill funding and less than inflation increases. This has led to a downward spiral of smaller casts and fewer productions bringing in fewer paying customers.
Against the odds we have still managed to produce many great productions and with this additional investment we know we can produce even more |
Federation of Scottish Theatre
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Monday, January 28, 2002 |
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