July 2004 Feature: National Theatre 1

TO RESPOND TO the questions ‘Does Scotland need a National Theatre?’ and ‘What benefits might it bring to the Highlands?’ is akin to predicting the results of a yet untried experiment. We can only voice our hopes and concerns.

What the National Theatre must aim to do is break current perceived barriers between Highland and Lowland theatre. To achieve this with any degree of honesty – it is vital that the commissioning body recognises, nurtures and works towards uniting the voices of those writers, producers, and directors who work within and embrace the real-life experience of the Highlands and Islands.

Hamish MacDonald

The alternative, however imaginatively conceived and lavishly produced, will ultimately speak with a hollow voice. Tapping into those vital cultural reserves that reach down to us over fifteen centuries into this brutalised, depersonalized millennium, it is time for Highland theatre to step out from the shadows. Only a genuine voice will be capable of telling the whole story.

POSTSCRIPT
Further to the point of this brutalised, depersonalized millennium, one personal concern is to hold the National Theatre well out of the reach of politicians. One of the most alarming sights of this or any other millennium must surely have been the sight of Oor Jack togged as office girl-meets-Braveheart during the so-called Tartan Day celebrations in New York. An event constituted by none other than Mississippi Republican senator Trent Lott, staunch supporter of Bush and Blair’s lies in the lead-up to the war in Iraq, and whose personal solution to the conflict was to ‘mow the whole place down’. Pin-stripe kilts and tipping a dram to murdering fanatics. Unfortunately, this is what letting your politicians (however well-meaning) too close to your national culture can lead to. Let it be a stern warning to us all.

Bookmark with:

What are these?

Latest Editorial

August 2008 Editorial

How Inspiring Is That?

Posted by Commissioning Editor, Kenny Mathieson, on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:01:00 GMT

Site updated: 29/08/2008 18:23:00

Hamish MacDonaldArtistic Director, Dogstar

Bookmark with:

Hamish MacDonald
Artistic Director, Dogstar