Innovative Light a Beacon campaign raises £77,000 for the National Theatre of Scotland’s new permanent headquarters, Rockvilla
50 beacons already lit across Scotland in support of capital project, with 14 in the Highlands and Islands region
New interactive digital artwork revealed enabling people the world over to become involved with and support the work of National Theatre of Scotland
The company will move to Rockvilla in October 2016, during its tenth birthday year
THE Light a Beacon campaign in support of the National Theatre of Scotland’s new headquarters – named Rockvilla – has already raised more than £77,000.
More than 50 beacons have already been lit by donors, with the Highlands and Islands of Scotland proving popular with supporters – including Beacons illuminated in Lerwick and Foula in Shetland, Orkney’s Italian Chapel, Wick, Evanton, Nigg, Quinaig, Stornoway, Skeabost in Skye, Sanna, Balevullin Beach in Tiree, Bunnahabhain, Islay and Brora, Sutherland.
The National Theatre of Scotland has now revealed the look and unique interactive function of the digital version of a specially-commissioned artwork, based on the map of Scotland which acknowledges, in a visually-striking and interactive way, each supporter of the Light a Beacon campaign.
The artwork’s striking ‘physical’ counterpart will be created to sit in the entrance foyer of Rockvilla, the company’s first purpose-built facility currently taking shape on the Speirs Wharf regeneration area of Glasgow, designed by award-winning architects, Hoskins. Both versions of the map have been designed by the award-winning Glasgow-based creative team at Pidgin Perfect.
Each creation will feature the names of supporters together with their messages of dedication.
The online version of the map has the advantage of giving supporters from all over the world the opportunity to repeatedly visit their beacon, with a special function enabling viewers to zoom in on individual beacons and read supporters’ comments about why they have chosen to light up that particular place. The map can be viewed at nationaltheatrescotland.com/rockvilla
The map design draws its inspiration from the National Theatre of Scotland’s inaugural productions, ten years ago in 2005, each entitled Home, and simultaneously performed in ten locations, from Shetland to Dumfries.
This remarkable theatrical launch was widely likened to the ancient flaming beacons that would light up the Scottish landscape, connecting communities far and wide.
The National Theatre of Scotland will have its headquarters in Glasgow, but the company will continue to tour widely throughout Scotland.
Recent productions and tours to the Highlands and Islands include two major productions: I Am Thomas – a brutal comedy with songs and The James Plays, at Eden Court Theatre Inverness, in April 2016.
As well as touring, the company looks forward to continue working with communities throughout the region.
The total estimated project cost for the new building is £6.475 million. Over £4.9 million has been secured to date, £1.8million of which has been raised through philanthropic sources including trusts, foundations and individual gifts.
National Theatre of Scotland’s director of development, Elly Rothnie, comments: “We have been overwhelmed by the response to the Light a Beacon appeal.
“It’s been so exciting to see friends and supporters lighting up parts of Scotland on the map for Rockvilla. They are helping us to build a constellation of support that stretches across the country and we’re really hoping that the launch of the stunning online version of the map will encourage others to think about where they might like to light up – their home town, a beautiful beach, a mountain, a family holiday spot or the place they saw their favourite National Theatre of Scotland production.”
The Rockvilla Light a Beacon campaign was launched in October 2015, with support from Iain McDiarmid, Blythe Duff, Greg Hemphill, Alan Cumming and Lorraine McIntosh, all of whom have performed with the National Theatre of Scotland.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About Rockvilla – the new facility for National Theatre of Scotland The new National Theatre of Scotland’s facility designed by RIBA award-winning architects, Hoskins, will enable the company, for the first time, to house all its rehearsal and production activity under one roof and address the urgent need to move from current locations.
The National Theatre of Scotland will develop the disused building in Glasgow’s Craighall Road, in the Speirs Wharf regeneration area of the north of the city, and turn it into a major resource for the whole of the Scottish theatre industry.
The canal-side building will provide the Company with approximately 3,700 sq. metres (40,000 sq.ft) of space over two levels, doubling the space of current rented accommodation and provide a flexible, fit-for-purpose space with three rehearsal rooms of varying scales, creative development spaces, a learning and community suite, a working wardrobe facility, production workshop and technical store, office space, meeting room facilities and social areas. National Theatre of Scotland is due to move into Rockvilla in October 2016.
About the National Theatre of Scotland – The National Theatre of Scotland is dedicated to playing the great stages, arts centres, village halls, schools and site-specific locations of Scotland, the UK and internationally. As well as creating ground-breaking productions and working with the most talented theatremakers, the National Theatre of Scotland produces significant community engagement projects, innovates digitally and works constantly to develop new talent.
Central to this is finding pioneering ways to reach current and new audiences and to encourage people’s full participation in the company’s work. With no performance building of its own, the company works with existing and new venues and companies to create and tour theatre of the highest quality. Founded in 2006, the company, in its short life, has become a globally significant theatrical player, with an extensive repertoire of award-winning work. The National Theatre of Scotland is supported by the Scottish Government. www.nationaltheatrescotland.com
About Hoskins Architects – Founded in Glasgow in 1998, Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd. is one of the UK’s leading architectural practices. With studios in Glasgow and Berlin the practice is involved in a wide range of projects across Scotland and internationally. Though having an established reputation for the design of arts and cultural buildings, the company undertakes interesting projects of almost any size, across a wide variety of sectors. From private houses and exhibition design to national public institutions and large commercial developments, the firm strives to produce elegant, well-crafted buildings that generate a sense of place, belonging to their location and becoming enjoyable places to live, work and play.
Their considered approach, including that of engaging people in discussion throughout the design process, has led to their involvement in a number of exemplar and award winning projects, often delivered with local authority and public body clients, setting the standard for the highest quality in design. Contact details and sample projects can be found on their website at www.hoskinsarchitects.com
About Pidgin Perfect – Pidgin Perfect is an award-winning multi-disciplinary creative studio based in Glasgow. Bringing together people, clients and places to help build better communities for everyone. Pidgin Perfect has an unique multi-skilled approach combining participation, research and design that places the community at the heart of its projects. Pidgin Perfect works as and with artists and designers to promote the imaginative role that they can play in the creation of aspiring places.
Pidgin Perfect believes that meaningful participation, strategic research and socially driven design are interdependent and that the best results are achieved when these elements combine. Having fun is a serious part of our process and through collaboration, storytelling and a unique understanding of context we work to deliver socially rich outcomes. From installing a temporary cinema on the banks of the River Clyde; to developing visual briefs for key regeneration projects across Scotland; designing a theatrical banquet in Venice; landscaping greenspaces in Glasgow’s Pollokshaws, delivering permanent public realm works for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and developing a new artist quarter in the historic Barras Market; Pidgin Perfect creates architecture projects that truly allow for engaging experiences, building lasting relationships and bringing communities together. www.pidginperfect.com
For further information, interviews and images, please contact:
Jim Fletcher – project manager: external affairs and development, Email: jim.fletcher@nationaltheatrescotland.com Mob: +44 (0) 7768 455667 Twitter: @NTS_Jim
Emma Schad – press manager – emma.schad@nationaltheatrescotland.com
Tel: +44 (0)227 9016 M: +44 (0)7930 308018
You can follow the National Theatre of Scotland’s press office on Twitter @NTS_press
Light a Beacon map can be viewed here: www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/rockvilla
Join the conversation: #rockvilla
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