Scottish Youth Theatre

Scottish Youth Theatre is Scotland's national youth theatre company for ages 3–25. It was established in 1976 and has provided theatre training to young people. The company has a free-to-participate National Artistic Programme that covers ages 14–25 and provides opportunities to take part in theatre throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Youth Theatre has headquarters in Glasgow but it works throughout Scotland. The Old Sheriff Court is the UK's first purpose built arts centre for young people. It has dedicated theatres, rehearsal spaces and offices for arts organisations.

History[]

It started in December 1976.^[1]

Alex Salmond and at the theatre.

In 1992 Mary McCluskey became the theatre's artistic director. She led in that role until 2018.^[2]

Following a decision to end from Creative Scotland to its funding, and being unable to plug the gap in their accounts, the theatre announced it would cease trading in July 2018.^[3] Scottish Youth Theatre was then saved by a direct funding decision from the Scottish Government as well as securing private sponsorship and donations.^[4]

Summer Festival takes place during the school holidays in various locations around Scotland and involves theatrical training for two, three or five weeks.

Alumni of the theatre include Karen Gillan (Dr Who), Jack Lowden (Dunkirk), Jamie Parker (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and GLOW's Gayle Rankin.^[2]

Patrons[]

Patrons of Scottish Youth Theatre include:^[5]

Brian Cox (after whom the Brian Cox Theatre within the Scottish Youth Theatre building is named)
Alan Cumming
Blythe Duff
Phyllida Law
Liz Lochhead
Colin McCredie
John Michie
Bill Paterson
Paul Riley
David Rintoul
Elaine C Smith
Richard Wilson^[5]

Past Productions[]

Pinocchio (2009)^[6]
Hidden Treasures (2009)
Hamlet (2009)
Geordie (Summer 2008)
Oh! What A Lovely War (Summer 2008)
Hero (Summer 2008)
When A Star Falls (2007–2008)
His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman Trilogy) (2007)
Wee MacGreegor (2006)
Man of the Crowd (2006)
Tales From The Arabian Nights (2006)
Geordie (2006)
The Snow Queen (2005)
(2005)
(2005)
Dying For It (2004–2005)
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (2004)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2004)
Romeo and Juliet (2003)
Born Bad
The Wizard of Oz (2001)
Hamlet
Macbeth (2000)
The Threepenny Opera (1992) (Dundee Rep)
Tam o' Shanter (1991) (The People's Palace)
Nicholas Nickleby (1991) (The Old Athenaeum)
(1990) (The Old Athenaeum)
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1990) (The Burrell Collection)
The Dragon (1988) (Aberdeen University)
Romeo and Juliet (1988) (RSAMD Theatre)

References[]

^ "Protest staged over Scottish Youth Theatre closure threat". BBC News. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^ ^a ^b "Mary McCluskey stepping down as Artistic Director of Scottish Youth Theatre - Scottish Youth Theatre". scottishyouththeatre.org. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^ "Scottish Youth Theatre to cease trading in July". BBC News. 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
^ Dibdin, Thom (2018-03-20). "Reprieve for SYT as Scottish Government match private sponsorship funds". The Stage. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
^ ^a ^b "Patrons". scottishyouththeatre.org. Retrieved 2020-04-12.
^ Statler. ""Pinocchio" - August 2009". Retrieved 2021-02-28.

External links[]

[1] "Protest staged over Scottish Youth Theatre closure threat". BBC News. 2018-03-13. Retrieved 2021-02-28.

[doitlikethis-2] "Mary McCluskey stepping down as Artistic Director of Scottish Youth Theatre - Scottish Youth Theatre". scottishyouththeatre.org. Retrieved 2021-02-28.

[3] "Scottish Youth Theatre to cease trading in July". BBC News. 2018-03-07. Retrieved 2021-02-28.

[4] Dibdin, Thom (2018-03-20). "Reprieve for SYT as Scottish Government match private sponsorship funds". The Stage. Retrieved 2020-02-10.

[patrons-5] "Patrons". scottishyouththeatre.org. Retrieved 2020-04-12.

[6] Statler. ""Pinocchio" - August 2009". Retrieved 2021-02-28.

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