Reprieve for Scottish Youth Theatre after funding secured

The Scottish Youth Theatre’s planned closure in the summer will not go ahead after new funding was announced.

The Scottish Government will give £150,000 to match private sponsorship secured by the theatre, including from Edinburgh-based investment firm Baillie Gifford.

The cash will enable the theatre to stay open for the rest of the year.

The theatre, whose alumni include stars such as Gerard Butler and Karen Gillan, announced earlier this month it planned to close in the summer after losing out on Creative Scotland funding.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the new cash would give the theatre a chance to find money to stay open long-term.

Scottish Youth Theatre chief executive Jacky Hardacre said: “With a future now secured for Scottish Youth Theatre, our focus is firmly on ensuring the nation’s young people have their own thriving national theatre company to engage with, be inspired by and to aspire to be a part of.

“This solution would not be possible without the support from Baillie Gifford and a number of private-sector organisations and individuals.”

She continued: “Furthermore, the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary have shown a great willingness to explore every option for Scottish Youth Theatre and we are very grateful for their time and efforts and their clear commitment to youth arts in Scotland.”