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July 2004 Feature: National Theatre 2
Simon MacKenzie |
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| I WAS RATHER taken by the playwright David Greig's
observation that “the National Theatre is like an elephant let loose upon the
machair; it's a spectacular heavyweight but whoever's leading it wants to tread
carefully because there's some delicate indigenous plant life
underfoot.” |
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| The quotation from an article he wrote in the Sunday
Herald's Sevendays (14th March) sums up the fears of many, not just in the
Highlands but elsewhere in Scotland. The money could be spent on strengthening
our existing companies, establishing them as component elements of the National
Theatre, or it could undermine their very foundations if it is established in
opposition to them. |
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| The Executive's declaration of financial support for
the National Theatre came as a complete surprise. My recollection is that the
sum of money was suddenly 'found' and, given the uncertainty of sourced funding,
what is going to happen when the current funding commitment expires? Where is
the money going to come from? What guarantees exist? Will the Executive give a
further undertaking of support if it retains power? Will each party's manifesto
declare its commitment to a Scottish National Theatre? The Tories, no doubt,
will demand a wholly commercial, unsubsidised theatre whilst New Labour will
anticipate a further mouthpiece for its socially inclusive agenda. These are
extremes, but they must be anticipated and vigorously opposed. The great danger
is that small companies could easily be squeezed out of existence in the
struggle to establish the National Theatre. |
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| If it succeeds, it must be light, portable and
address the needs of all of Scotland. It's presence must be felt from the
village halls of the Highlands and Islands to the larger urban theatres of the
Lowlands. It should have a multi-lingual policy addressing the needs of all of
Scotland, and I would vigorously oppose any attempt to 'house' the National
Theatre. It must be free from the shackles of in-house productions. It must have
the freedom to rehearse and perform throughout Scotland. |
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| Of course, it has to have an administrative base and
I am disappointed at the haste with which Easterhouse has been earmarked as a
potential base for its administrative offices. I fear that it is not at a
sufficient remove from the West Ends of Glasgow or Edinburgh to reassure the
people of the Borders, the North East, or the Highlands. |
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| We have a unique opportunity to create a distinctive
form of National Theatre, unlike anything else which exists in Western Europe.
But already there is an apparent lack of vision...........why shouldn't the
National be based in Inverness, Perth, Dundee or Aberdeen? I fear that the short
arm of the Executive is already at work and the choice of Easterhouse is rather
predictable. Of course, the citizens of Easterhouse have as much right to their
share of the National Theatre's bounties as anyone else in Scotland, but I fear
that the perception outwith the Central Belt will be, "Here we go
again!" |
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I welcome the establishment of a National Theatre in Scotland provided it listens to all of Scotland and articulates on stages small and grand, throughout the land, the varied voices of Scotland. Let the voice of the Gael be heard alongside the voice of the Punjabi speaker and let us hear broad Scots alongside the Queen's English. But above all else, let it be the voice of Scotland........strong, focussed, articulate and speaking not just to our own people but to the world at large. © Simon MacKenzie, 2004 |
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16 Mar 2010 | |
09 Mar 2010 | |
19 Jan 2010 |
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March 2010 Editorial |
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