• Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Linkedin
  • Share by email

Planning for the creation of a Scottish National Theatre is now underway with the appointment of a steering group to set a budget, develop a phased programme of implementation and advise on a potential Chair and the composition of a Board.

The concept of a Scottish National Theatre featured in the National Cultural Strategy published by the Scottish Executive shortly after the establishment of the new Scottish Parliament. Detailed modelling by an independent working group in May 2001 suggested that, to meet its core objectives, the Scottish National Theatre requires funding from The Scottish Executive of £1.81m in 2003/4, and a further £7.6m over the following three years. Thus far £1m has been allocated, via the Scottish Arts Council (SAC), for 2003/4 which is envisaged as being the first year of operation of the new organisation.

The proposals for a Scottish National Theatre put forward by the working group and supported by SAC, rejected building-based models of operation and concluded that the new theatre should be a creative producer which works with and through the existing Scottish theatre community to achieve its objectives. It stated that a quality repertoire originating in Scotland should be developed and toured to all parts of Scotland and abroad. The group recommended that the new organisation should stimulate an audience development strategy for Scottish theatre as a whole by raising the profile of theatre as an artform, as well as contributing to education through performances, workshops and educational resources. A team management structure was proposed, to be led by a Creative Director.

The steering group charged with taking these proposals forward will comprise seven members, including Dr Donald Smith, Director of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, who chaired the original working group which reported on the feasibility of various models. The other members of the group are Heather Baird, Director of the Federation of Scottish Theatres; Kathleen Benham of Benham Conway Chartered Accountants; Lorne Boswell of Equity; Roberta Doyle, Director of Public Affairs at the National Galleries of Scotland; Eddie Jackson, Producer and Chief Executive of Borderline Theatre; and Liz Lockhead, playwright. The group will be facilitated by arts consultant Morag Ballantyne. The report by the independent working group on a Scottish National Theatre, together with SAC?s own review of theatre provision in Scotland, can be found at http://www.scottisharts.org.uk