The Scottish Government

National Theatre of Scotland

A National Theatre of Scotland, with a remit to 'inspire and delight', is in the process of being created.

The Executive has provided a budget of £7.5 million up to 2006 to allow the establishment of a new organisation that will commission productions from Scotland's existing creative talent.

The main offices will be based in Easterhouse in Glasgow.

Richard Findlay, chief executive of Scottish Radio Holdings, has been appointed as the first Chair.

The inaugural Director is Vicky Featherstone, currently Director of Paines Plough theatre company.

Her appointment signals a firm commitment to new work, as well as established writers, by the National Theatre. The recipient of 12 theatre awards in the past five years alone, Featherstone is also well known for bringing a number of critically acclaimed productions to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe over many years, and for her work with Graeae Theatre Company, which presents productions by people with physical and sensory impairments.

She said:

"I am honoured to be charged with the historic responsibility of developing and achieving the founding vision for the National Theatre of Scotland. The company will build upon all that is vibrant, dynamic and ground-breaking in Scotland and the Scottish theatre scene, to create life-changing theatre for all to enjoy."

It is anticipated the first productions will be ready by early 2005 at the latest.

Culture Minister Frank McAveety said:

"National Theatre of Scotland productions will be created from the best of our theatrical and writing talent and made widely accessible to audiences acrossScotland.

"Our talent deserves and needs this bigger stage to work on. It will provide a showcase for the best of Scottish theatre and will create work of international significance which will represent Scottish culture abroad."

The new National Theatre is conceived as a 'virtual' body with only a small number of permanent staff. The commissioning model was recommended by an independent working group set up by the Scottish Arts Council and the Federation of Scottish Theatre.

The funding for the National Theatre is in addition to the £9 million in 2003-2004 that is directed to regional theatre through the Scottish Arts Council.