The Stage

Adam Smith College looks to axe theatre courses

Published Thursday 21 April 2011 at 16:05 by Thom Dibdin

The Adam Smith College in Fife is planning to phase out all 13 of its theatre arts courses, as “no longer viable” in a strategic change to its core curriculum.

The courses, based in Kirkcaldy, employ 13 staff and are delivered to some 300 students. The department has been running for 33 years. Following the closure of the Queen Margaret University drama school, it is one of only two colleges offering such courses in Scotland.

A strategic review document leaked to The Stage, states that: “Following a period of successful development in the Creative sector the current climate requires this sector to support innovation and creativity in other key sectors identified in the Economic Development Plan. Whilst the provision will be rationalised, capacity will be retained in areas of strength and relevance that provide opportunity for employment.

“It is considered that theatre and performing arts is no longer a viable area to support economic development in Fife and as such will be discontinued through a phased approach.”

The plans have attracted anger from a range of the course’s alumni, including Ewan McGregor, Alan Cumming and Dougray Scott. A letter of support to the theatre arts department from performer Brian Cox, who is rector of Dundee University says he is “shocked” to hear of the proposed closure.

He said: “Typical knee jerk reaction to the hysterical financial strictures of the time. The senior management shows an almost cliched nearsightedness in its blinkered vision of how much in the long run a decent theatre arts program does contribute to the economy of society in all kinds of hidden ways and means. For a moment they should think a about the financial and well being contribution made alone by the two alumni you mentioned, A Cumming and D Scott.”

News of the proposed closure was only released to the staff during their Easter break, and a member of the teaching staff told The Stage that they were not given the opportunity to argue the case against closure. The final decision is expected to be taken on Friday, April 22, with the college board of governors due to meet on Wednesday April 27, when it will be ratified.

The staff member said: “They didn’t offer us any of the information on which they have based their arguments and we have been told that the information we are giving to them is not going to be distributed to the board.”