The Stage

Scottish scheme for touring theatre launched

Published Tuesday 27 March 2007 at 14:50 by Alistair Smith

Scottish Arts Council has unveiled a new touring strategy designed to boost quality theatre in the region.

The new document aims to encourage more people to attend and participate in touring theatre, as well as improving communication within the sector to prevent schedule clashes and to support producers, promoters and venues.

David Taylor, SAC assistant director arts, said: “The Theatre Touring Strategy is intended to greatly increase co-operation, knowledge and understanding between all the vital elements of the touring theatre sector. By developing new and better partnerships between venues, promoters, producers and presenters, we hope to give audiences better opportunities to enjoy high quality theatre experiences that will whet their appetite for more.

“By co-ordinating those experiences across Scotland, presenters and venues will be able to bring the best work to their existing audiences, as well as tempting new audiences to enjoy a greater variety of work.”

The new document was unveiled as part of a recent event organised by the Federation of Scottish Theatre. The strategy will be used when SAC comes to make future funding decisions.

FST director Lizzi Nicoll added: “FST welcomes the publication of the new strategy and looks forward to working with the SAC to assist in the delivery of a number of their key objectives, building audiences for touring theatre and increasing the capacity of the practitioners.”