Pitlochry Festival Theatre (PFT) received £485,112 through round two of Creative Scotland’s £12 million Performing Arts Venue Relief fund.
These funds are directed to ensure the theatre’s solvency and support through the economic fallout caused by the pandemic.
Between September and December, PFT will deliver seven key projects which will support the theatre’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan, to ensure broad participation in the creation of, and engagement with, cultural activity.
Performing Arts Venue Relief funding is also designed to create commissioning and employment opportunities for freelance artists and creative practitioners.
As the largest employer of creative practitioners in Scotland, this vital support will enable Pitlochry Festival Theatre to continue to serve its communities throughout the year.
This summer the theatre employed 52 freelancers for their outdoor season.
For its forthcoming projects the theatre will be employing 80 freelancers from the Scottish theatre community.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s seven projects include: Ghost Stories (October-November 2021); The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (November-December 2021); Sound Stage – Season 2 (November-December 2021); and Community Tour (Sept-Nov 2021).
PFT will return to communities and partner organisations who have not been able to receive visitors, touring new work and music to at least 30 community venues across Scotland.
Through its projects, PFT looks forward to welcoming around 20,000 people to its shows indoors, outdoors and online.
Executive director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre Kris Bryce said: “We’re grateful for this vital support from the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund.
“The previous round from Scottish Government allowed us to stabilise the Theatre and produce work for over 15,000 audience members.
“Throughout the pandemic, when we couldn’t gather inside, we have worked to produce theatre online and outside for our communities.
“This funding from PAVRF enables us to engage more creative practitioners and serve more audience members as theatre continues to emerge.”
Chair of Pitlochry Festival Theatre Crawford Gillies added: “We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government for all their support over the last 16 months, which has helped to ensure the Theatre continues to create work for our audiences.”
With support from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has staged a successful outdoor season over the summer.
The programme has received much acclaim from both the critics and the public, and includes an impressive line-up of premières and productions, featuring an exciting line up of Scottish acting and creative talent.
