Plans to establish a National Theatre in Scotland have been put on hold in favour of a greater commitment to Scotland?s regional theatres, according to Scotland?s First Minister, Jack McConnell, speaking at First Minister?s Questions in the Scottish Parliament.
Three years ago an all-party committee unanimously backed a plan to establish a Scottish National Theatre, but the project has come to a standstill. Dr Donald Smith, chairman of the steering group set up to establish a national theatre, admitted last month that neither he nor the Scottish Arts Council knew why the Scottish Executive had fully supported the development of the project, yet were failing to confirm details relating to delivery and investment. The issue was brought to a head when Hamish Glen, Artistic Director of Dundee Rep and a staunch advocate of a national theatre, drew attention to the cash crisis in Scottish theatre with his announcement that he is to leave Scotland for a job at Coventry?s Belgrade Theatre. English provincial theatre has benefited from an extra £25m from April 2003, permitting a rise in actors? wages to be met and ambitious programming to be realised. In Scotland, however, The Scottish Executive earmarked only £5.4m over three years, including £2m for the establishment of the National Theatre.
Published: 16-12-2002