And, these won’t be confined to a sole arts fortress, but will use venues across Scotland — the idea being that it will be, geographically, a true national theatre. As many as four of the shows will tour the U.K. and internationally. Vicky Featherstone, the one-time Paines Plough leader and now artistic director of the new venture, has said that the work will mainly be about Scotland, or from a Scottish viewpoint. The outfit will feature recent and contemporary Scottish writers, and there will be an in-house youth theatre group and a workshop to nurture new work.
The National Theatre of Scotland was announced in 2003, when the Scottish Executive earmarked £7.5 million to establish the company. At the time, Featherstone said, “I am honored 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.”
The company’s staff will work from its new base in Easterhouse, a down-at heel area in Glasgow. It will be part of a new complex built there.