‘Any cuts would be felt across the north’

Highland Council provides essential funding to Eden Court and it is important they hear what we do with that support.

Although nearly everyone in the Highlands comes to events at Eden Court, few are aware of the full range of our work and the contribution we make to wider Highland society.

We present a variety of performances with the widest possible appeal.

Without Eden Court there would be nowhere in the Highlands for Scotland’s five national companies to perform and nowhere for a wide and growing list of local performing groups.

Imagine the Highlands without any visits from Scottish Ballet or National Theatre of Scotland, or without a place for the Scout Gang show or Schools Rock Challenge to

“It’s away from stage that we do most vital work”

perform. Our programme is so popular that our annual attendance exceeds the population of the Highlands.

Arguably, it’s away from the stage that we do our most vital work.

We run over 50 classes a week for everyone from newborn babies to adults and from beginner to professional level.

We teach how to act, dance and make films. We have drama staff working alongside teachers in Highland schools and we run 20 youth theatre groups across the Highlands.

We also undertake vital work with the police, Barnardos and Action for Children helping young people on the edges of society to re-engage with education.

I fully understand the financial pressures that all local authorities are under and their need to cut expenditure while maintaining essential public services.

by Colin Marr Eden Court chief