PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON 29 MARCH
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Rockvilla’s innovative Light a Beacon campaign raises £75,000 for the National Theatre of
Scotland’s new permanent headquarters, Rockvilla
Over 50 Beacons already lit across Scotland in support of capital project
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 10th 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 £75,000. More than 50 Beacons have already been lit
by donors from Foula in Shetland in the North, to Portpatrick in the South. Streets, beaches, towns,
airports, much loved places, and unique Scottish landmarks including the Orkney’s Italian Chapel,
Balevullin Beach and the Edinburgh Drill Hall (where the National Theatre of Scotland’s internationally
acclaimed Black Watch was first performed) have all been illuminated by supporters of the Rockvilla
campaign.
The National Theatre of Scotland today reveals for the first time 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, simultaneously performed in 10 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 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.
Notes to Editors
About Rockvilla – the new facility for National Theatre of Scotland The new National Theatre of
Scotland Creation Centre, 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 3700 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 theatre- makers, 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
a 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: [email protected] Mob: +44 (0) 7768 455667
Twitter: @NTS_Jim
Emma Schad - Press Manager – [email protected]
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
ENDS