Noticeboard NewsGossipOpinion The Ramshorn
The final curtain? As the Ramshorn Theatre faces the threat of closure, The List questions the potential loss to Scotland’s creative make-up Words: Anna Millar
following the
P ressure is mounting for Strathclyde University to make a decision about the future of the Ramshorn, shock announcement that the theatre is to be closed. Credited with kick-starting the careers of Peter Capaldi and L o s t star Henry Ian Cusick, the converted church-cum-community theatre in Glasgow’s Merchant City will be sold as part of wider cost saving plans for the University. Home to the Strathclyde Theatre Group (STG) since 1992, the group say they may have to disband if they lose their premises, and quickly received the backing of former student Cusick, who said of the Ramshorn: ‘It’s a place where anybody can go, a place that motivates and inspires. Without it, I certainly would not be where I am today.’
A Facebook group Save the Ramshorn Theatre from Closure (tinyurl.com/ramshorn) had already attracted over 1500 members.
Susan Triesman, director of drama at Strathclyde University and the STG’s artistic director, said the move could have a ‘detrimental effect’ on creative industries across Scotland. ‘These kinds of onslaughts on the arts are going to have a detrimental effect on the creative industries in Scotland. The theatre group is really a huge learning environment, even for people who have been in the business.’ While no official time scale has been put on plans, and Strathclyde University insist consultation will occur before anything is set in motion, some fear the theatre may face closure within two years.
PUBLIC DESIGN FRINGE COVER ■ As part of a move to get the public involved in this year’s Fringe, festival heads have asked members of the public to play a role in designing the cover, in collaboration with the Fringe Society and Scottish artist and illustrator Johanna Basford. Last month Fringe audiences were invited to submit their idea via Twitter, the best of which are now being drawn and incorporated into a canvas for the cover of the
Fringe’s 2010 programme. Fringe Society chief exec, Kath Mainland, said of the move: ‘The success of the Edinburgh Fringe is, in part, due to its extraordinary ability to change with the times. One of the most profound changes we have seen over that time is the growth of social media. I am very excited to see what the outcome of this partnership between the Fringe, our audience and one of Scotland’s most talented illustrators will be.’ See www.edfringe.com for more.
5 Things. . . NAFF CITIES We’d take Glasgow or Edinburgh over these any day
1 London Perfect for people who
aren’t into either politeness or reasonable rents.
And they have more than just one circular subway line. What?
2 New York Their grid system’s
modelled on Glasgow but that’s where Nu Yoik’s good sense
ends. No drinking under 21 (not even at bus stops) is pure barbaric.
3 Dubai High levels of
investment but the oil rich city’s building programme
still pales in comparison to the Edinburgh tram works.
4 Barcelona Come on, their
Gaudi cathedral’s only half done! At least we finish what
we start (except the National Monument of course).
5 Paris The Seine, Notre Dame and
the Pompidou Centre? Give me the Clyde, Glasgow Cathedral and GoMA and stick a sausage in it pal cos it’s Glasgow in the springtime!
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CALLING ALL FASHIONISTAS Tickets are on sale for this year’s Edinburgh College of Art Fashion Show (Wed 5–Fri 7 May), affording fashion lovers the chance to see collections before they head down to the Graduate Fashion Week in London in June. Pieces from graduating students will be seen strutting down the catwalk, as well as work from a collection of 2nd and 3rd year students. For more see www.eca.ac.uk/fashionshow.
1–15 Apr 2010 THE LIST 7