The Stage

Dundee Rep completes £1m dance studio

Published Monday 9 August 2004 at 15:15

Dundee Rep Theatre has announced the completion of a new £1 million studio to house the venue’s contemporary dance company, Scottish Dance Theatre.

The new development, which will also provide facilities for guest artists and educational work, was officially opened on August 5 by local performers, Carol Mallows and Catriona Dougan.

Theatre artistic director James Brining said: “SDT brings a range of people into the theatre that would otherwise be unlikely to visit. The company’s reputation for excellence has grown and grown and this stunning new studio is a fitting symbol of their achievements and future ambition.”

Funding for the project came from various sources, with chief benefactors, the Scottish Arts Council National and government body the Eastern Scotland European Partnership, providing more than £850,000.

SDT’s artistic director Janet Smith said: “The studio also allows us to open up our doors and share our working processes, as well as to encourage dance making and performance within the professional and local community.”

The company, which was established in 1986, recently won the 2004 Critics Circle National Dance Award for outstanding company repertoire. It will be appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before beginning a national tour on September 30.