July 2004 Feature: National Theatre of Scotland

IN THE WAKE of Richard Findlay’s open consultation sessions in the Highlands on the National Theatre of Scotland, I decided it would be a propitious moment to invite some of the best known names in Highland theatre to give their views on what will – for better or worse – be a major development for Scottish theatre.

I asked two questions, and added an invitation:

Do we need a National Theatre of Scotland as currently constituted?

What benefits might it bring to theatre in the Highlands?

If you have anything to add not covered by these questions, please feel free to do so.

Most of the people I approached have responded (one or two have sent their apologies, one or two haven’t replied, and one or two still intend to do so). Click on the names below to find out how they view the prospect of the National Theatre of Scotland. All views expressed are those of the contributors.

(Note: my careless use of the word ‘constituted’ in framing the original questions caused slight confusion – some respondents took it to refer to a formal constitution rather than just the broader sense of ‘set up in this way’. My apologies.)

Kenny Mathieson
Commissioning Editor
July 2004

Interview with Richard Findlay
Chairman, National Theatre of Scotland

George Gunn
Artistic Director, Grey Coast Theatre Company

Hamish MacDonald
Artistic Director, Dogstar

Simon MacKenzie
Artistic Director, TOSG Gaelic Theatre Company

John Durnin
Artistic Director, Pitlochry Festival Theatre

John McGeoch
Arts in Motion

Colin Marr
Director, Eden Court Theatre

Ally MacLeod
Roadrunner Theatre Company

John Byrne
Writer and Visual Artist