Theatre could be hotbed of talent

Newly-reopened venue aims to be one of Scotland’s top training centres

Perth Theatre is aiming to become one of Scotland’s leading training hubs for all aspects of stagecraft – from acting to set and costume design.

The venue has long had a reputation as a proving ground for some of the nation’s finest thespians and crew.

Now reopened after a £16.6 million transformation and a four-year closure, there are plans afoot to build on that in the years to come.

Artistic director Lu Kemp said: “One of the key things on my agenda is that we should be a training hub for all aspects of the theatre.

“It is something we need to build on and I know it is a real passion of our head of production Gavin Johnston.

“It is all about opening up possibilities and creating opportunities for people to begin exploring the theatre.

“It starts with our youth theatre but continues through understudying and training and through a new series of summer courses for children.”

Those courses will include dressmaking and pattern cutting, while Lu herself will lead a Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed workshop.

There will also be sessions based on two of 2018’s biggest shows, with Speaking Shakespeare involving one of the lead actors from Richard III and Julius Caesar, where participants will benefit from the experience of Brian Ferguson and Ewan Downie.

The theatre has a been a proving ground for some world-famous stars such as Donald Sutherland, who made his stage debut in panto at Perth, and Ewan McGregor, who hails from nearby Crieff.

That has continued through younger theatre generations, such as 18-year-old Ella Ironside, now studying at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee.

Ella started out as part of Perth Youth Theatre and is now assistant choreographer on this year’s Christmas pantomime, Aladdin.

She has taken on special responsibility for the child members of the panto cast.

“The kids have been amazing on the stage and it is fair to say that we have been very demanding of them,” said Lu.

“We have children understudying our child cast members so they not only get a chance to take to the stage, they also get to watch the performances up close.”

The pantomime has also provided an opportunity for a new generation to learn one of the key roles in any pantomime – that of the dame.

Perth’s regular dame Barrie Hunter – who has filled the role for seven years – has been sharing his experience with understudy Ewan Somers.

It is all about opening up possibilities and creating opportunities for people to begin exploring the theatre. LU KEMP, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Pictures: PA and Allstar. Ewan McGregor, left and Donald Sutherland are two famous faces who learned their stage and screencraft at Perth Theatre. Now bosses there want others to follow them.