Druimfin, the new home for Mull Theatre
THE NEW BUILDING BEGINS!
The construction of the new Production Centre for Mull Theatre has begun! The contract has been awarded to the Isle of Mull-based company TSL Contractors, who are now on site, at Druimfin, just outside Tobermory. The building should be up and running for spring 2008.
With a rehearsal room, set workshop, costume room and administration offices, the Production Centre will house all the processes for creating the shows for Mull Theatre tours. It will also be a creative resource for community groups and professional theatre companies throughout Scotland.
Says Artistic Director Alasdair McCrone, “Up till now we’ve had to find rehearsal space where we can, and sets have been built on the mainland and shipped in. The old “Little Theatre” was charming and rustic – a little too rustic. Last year’s set for Macbeth had to be finished off outside during a downpour! Now, this unique purpose built theatre Production Centre will give us first class facilities whilst its beautiful forest location means we will retain the rural character people expect from a visit to Mull Theatre."
It was hoped that the building would be open in 2007, but the rising costs of building materials meant that the funding wouldn’t cover the original design. As a result the architects – Edinburgh-based City Architecture Office (CiAO) – had a rethink and came up with a more streamlined version which will sit beautifully in the woodland site, leased on generous terms from the Forestry Commission.
Additional money still needs to be raised to complete the building to the desired standard and with the full range of facilities. To this end energetic fundraising continues. Says Gillian King, Chair of the Mull Theatre Board, “We have been planning this for more than 10 years and I'm thrilled that at last the first part of the project is starting. This, however, is only phase one and we still have a long way to go before we can have the complete package, including a modern, flexible auditorium.”
Creative partners
The company aims to work with and support artists across the range of theatre activity, encouraging others to become actively involved with the creative industries. It is envisaged that there will be education and community theatre programmes, new writing initiatives, creative apprenticeships and a diverse range of opportunities for individuals and groups to release their creative potential.
Creative opportunities
we hope this will be a hub of creative opportunity where work will be produced, new shows tried out, great projects conceived, skills acquired and nurtured, creativity encouraged, ideas developed, collaborations fostered and careers launched. we will provide support and facilities and/or work in collaboration with writers, directors, designers, musicians/composers, filmmakers, choreographers, actors, etc.
Creative apprenticeships
Provide support and facilities to train for future employment within the creative industries
Creative communities
Provide support and facilities to develop an environment of creativity and exploration, in education and the arts, touching all aspects of life as envisaged by the First Minister when he described "the next major enterprise for our society"
FUNDING
Main funders
Scottish Arts Council Lottery
Argyll and the Islands Enterprise
European Regional Development Fund
Argyll and Bute Council
With additional support from the following
Foundation for Sport and the Arts
The Rayne Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation
The Robertson Trust
The Gannochy Trust
Hugh Fraser Foundation
Gordon Fraser Charitable Trust
W.A. Cargill Fund