Green MSP Challenges Executive Over Theatre Funding
Wed., February 12, 2003. 00:00.
Green MSP Robin Harper will use a Members debate today (Wednesday) to challenge the Scottish Executive over the funding crisis in Scottish theatre1. The Greens say the provision of theatre is a fundamental part of Scottish culture and contributes to quality of life for many Scots, not just in urban areas but in remote communities.
Many theatre companies are now under extreme financial pressure and face severe cutbacks in the range of their productions and their outreach work to small communities. The Greens are calling on the Executive to review their funding to the Scottish Arts Council in light of the crisis and properly fund Scottish theatre.
Green MSP Robin Harper said:
'There is a hidden poverty problem in Scotland, a poverty of mind, a poverty of ambition that continues to fail to recognise the true importance of the Arts including the theatre.
'Core funding for the Scottish Arts Council has been at a standstill, causing many theatre companies to suffer financial hardship, and their capacity to stage productions to be severely restricted.
'The Executive must review their funding to theatre in light of this crisis, otherwise theatre is in danger of withering in Scotland. There must be a way to find these vital funds, a sum of money that is trifling compared to what the Executive spends on other budgets.'
NOTES
- 12.30hrs Debating Chamber Scottish Parliament, Wednesday 12 February 2003. Subject for debate is S1M-3715 Robin Harper: Theatre in Scotland - That the Parliament regrets the lack of sufficient funding for Scottish theatre; notes the cutbacks at Brunton Theatre; notes the contribution made over the years by groups such as the TAG Theatre Company, 7:84, Borderline, Theatre in Education and TWE Edinburgh; further notes the looming funding crisis for repertory theatre, especially the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh; notes that unless funding equivalent to the funding available to theatre in England and Wales is made available, there will be a drift of talent southwards that will result in the ability of professional theatre to survive in Scotland being undermined in the near future.
- Robin Harper MSP is a member of Equity, Patron of Forth Children's Theatre and Patron of Sounds of Progress, Board Member of the Traverse Theatre and the 2003 Estaites and is shortly to join the Board of the Communicado Theatre Company.
- A synopsis of Robin Harper's speech will be available from 12.30 on Wednesday from number below ^ top
CONTACT
Robin Harper MSP 0131 348 5927 or 07957 337 176 Steve Burgess on (0131) 348 5955 or 07887 682574
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Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.