Theatre honours artistic director
The Joan Knight Studio is launched in Perth
A past artistic director of Perth Theatre has been honoured with the new Studio Theatre in the transformed building being named after her.
Joan Knight, who held the position from 1968 to 1993, was renowned as a champion for young talent and new playwriting.
This commitment will be reflected in the Joan Knight New Commission Fund, which will be set up to invest in emerging talent, with the Joan Knight Studio as its stage.
Donations to the fund are being invited from members of the public.
Lu Kemp, artistic director for Perth Theatre, said: “I look forward to honouring Joan Knight’s legacy, and following my own personal commitment, by developing and supporting new talent at Perth Theatre.
“The flexibility of the new studio is an inspiration, and will enable artists to create relevant exciting work for audiences today.”
The driving force behind the creation of the fund and the naming of the studio are two past Perth Theatre employees, Vanessa Rawlings-Jackson and Patrick Sandford, who worked with Joan Knight.
Vanessa was the first general manager of Perth Theatre from 1976 to 1982.
She said: “Joan believed in nurturing new talent, and growing existing talent.
“She would give new and established actors opportunities to develop their skills, she commissioned and employed new writers, designers and directors many of whom went on to run major theatre companies and direct productions across the UK and internationally.
“The Joan Knight New Commission Fund will be established with the aim of investing in emerging talent.”
Patrick worked at Perth Theatre in the 1980s as trainee, associate director and then director.
He said: “Looking back it is important to acknowledge that audiences change and the theatre always needs new approaches.
“The past is interesting and should be honoured and examined, but the nostalgic notion of a ‘Golden Age’ is misleading.
“The Golden Age for Perth Theatre is now.”
Patrick added: “Joan would be thrilled to have a new studio space
Horsecross Arts chief executive, Gwilym Gibbons, and Perth Theatre artistic director Lu Kemp at the Joan Knight Studio and to think that living writers were having their work done in it, by enterprising directors and actors.”
Cllr Ian Campbell, leader of Perth and Kinross Council – an official ‘project partner’ on the Perth Theatre transformation – said: “It’s fantastic to see the studio at Perth Theatre being named after Joan Knight.
“As a pivotal figure in the history of the Theatre, Joan really cemented Perth’s reputation for culture.”
Perth Theatre’s doors will open on Monday, November 13, when the public will be able to access box office and the theatre café and bar.
For further information on how to donate to the Joan Knight New Commission Fund and be invited to related fundraising events, contact Horsecross Arts Development team on 01738 472731 or email development@horsecross. co.uk