CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR EVENT

The National Theatre of Scotland launches Scenes for Survival in response to COVID 19

Scenes for Survival is a crisis responsive artistic online project launched in association with BBC Scotland and BBC Arts' Culture in Quarantine project.

The National Theatre of Scotland launches Scenes for Survival in response to COVID 19

Article Source: The National Theatre of Scotland
Last Updated: 23 March 2020 11:53

An alternative theatrical online programme is being offered to isolated audiences across Scotland and beyond. This programme has also been curated to support the Scottish theatre sector and creatives during the current critical situation. Part of this programme is supported by high profile Scottish entertainment talent which will also serve as a fundraising platform for those most financially affected within the theatre industry.

Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director of the National Theatre of Scotland says: “We are living through a period that is unprecedented in my lifetime. In Scotland during times of crisis we have always turned to our storytellers to offer connectivity, solace and joy. We want to bring audiences together online despite our collective isolation. When we come through the other side of this era-defining moment we will all feel changed by what we have been through and it is theatre that will allow us to imagine, with hope, where we are going to find ourselves and how it will feel. Theatre matters, more than ever.

The National Theatre of Scotland is part of a theatre sector that is struggling to survive through these times. Scenes for Survival will provide much-needed paid opportunities for artists, celebrate our exceptional national culture and raise money for the freelance community who are experiencing drastic economic and emotional hardship. We thank those who have come forward with such immediate generosity to get us started.

We know that theatre is also about the shared, communal, live experience – the visceral understanding that the quickening of your breath and beating heart is happening alongside those sitting next to you. We continue to make theatre in this way so that we can survive these times of crisis and then come together again on Scotland’s stages”


Scenes for Survival is a new season of digital short artworks from National Theatre of Scotland which will launch new pieces of theatre from creative talents across a series on online platforms and channels over the next few months. This project is being delivered in association with BBC Scotland and BBC Arts Culture in Quarantine project.

Many established writers and performers have already confirmed their support of the project including Cora Bissett, Mark Bonnar, Tam Dean Burn, Alan Cumming, Brian Cox, Kate Dickie, Blythe Duff, Finn Den Hertog, Greg McHugh, Lorraine Mcintosh, Adura Onashile, Julie Wilson Nimmo, Richard Rankin, and Robert Softley Gale, with written contributions from Jenni Fagan, Greg Hemphill, May Sumbwanyambe, Val McDermid, Greg McHugh, Denise Mina and Ian Rankin.


A host of actors, writers and directors will be engaged and paid to create these short pieces of digital theatre remotely from their personal spaces of isolation.

The National Theatre of Scotland will announce a call out opportunity for writers to be commissioned to write short new pieces for the project. Creative teams/pairings for the project will be announced over the next few weeks.

The season is being produced in association with key Scottish theatres who have been critically hit economically by the COVID-19 virus. Theatre organisations to date include: the Citizens Theatre, Imaginate, Tron Theatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Royal Lyceum Theatre Company, the Beacon Arts Centre, Perth Theatre and Horsecross Arts, Stellar Quines, Eden Court, Macrobert Arts Centre, The Traverse Theatre, Dundee Rep, Birds of Paradise and the Byre Theatre.

The season of works will also act as a platform to raise money for a new hardship fund for artists and those in the theatre industry who have been hardest hit financially.

High profile artists involved will be given the opportunity to donate their artistic fee on a pay it forward basis to enable further artists to be involved and paid over the next few months. The Company gratefully acknowledges the generosity of the artists who are supporting the project so far.

Other ongoing activity from the National Theatre of Scotland will be refocused as a digital offering or opportunity for artists and audiences including Engine Room, ongoing casting meetings for actors, Play Dates, a digital programme for children, young people and their families and The Coming Back Out Balls’s Online Dance Clubs for LGBTI+elders.

The National Theatre of Scotland is also exploring the rights issues involved, with a view to sharing filmed versions of acclaimed previous productions with online audiences.

All the National Theatre of Scotland’s digital offering during this time will be free for audiences and available via the Company’s online platforms and social media channels with Scenes for Survival content shared with BBC Arts, BBC Scotland and associate theatre organisations.

Sponsored Links

Pace Youth Theatre
Glasgow Science Centre
Renfrewshire Council
Pace Youth Theatre

Latest Renfrewshire News

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season

Festive days out to make the most of the season

From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.

READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.

READ MORE
Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes

Public vote opens for Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 as scene flourishes

A stellar lineup of nominees has been announced for the Scottish Jazz Awards 2025, showcasing the exceptional talent flourishing across Scotland's vibrant jazz scene.

READ MORE
Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

Heroes call on Scottish rugby fans to vote for the greatest Murrayfield rugby moment

SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.

READ MORE
The Christmas tradition of the year is back...

The Christmas tradition of the year is back...

Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!

READ MORE
First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets

First Bus gives Remembrance free travel for all Armed Forces, veterans and cadets

First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

READ MORE
Scotland Meats Germany

Scotland Meats Germany

Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.

READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour

Scottish Ensemble brings warmth to wintry nights with Concerts by Candlelight tour

Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.

READ MORE
Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night

Feel the festive cheer at Dobbies Charity Christmas Shopping Night

Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.

READ MORE
Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Autumn Offers at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.

READ MORE
The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries

The Scottish Excellence Awards are open for entries

Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.

READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival delivers a frightfully fun weekend for all

Paisley Halloween Festival delivers a frightfully fun weekend for all

Spooky season descended on Paisley at the weekend as thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Halloween Festival!

READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies Garden Centres hosts free to attend winter gardening workshop for kids

Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.

READ MORE
A decade of cultural impact to be celebrated at anniversary concert

A decade of cultural impact to be celebrated at anniversary concert

Celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, Fèis Phàislig, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people.

READ MORE
Paisley Halloween festival shows visitors a wicked good time!

Paisley Halloween festival shows visitors a wicked good time!

Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.

READ MORE
The Beat the Street Renfrewshire winners are announced

The Beat the Street Renfrewshire winners are announced

The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!

READ MORE
Paisley crowned as Town Of The Year

Paisley crowned as Town Of The Year

Judges in the Scotland Loves Local Awards awarded the title after being impressed by the critical point reached in the town's 'resurgence' amid unprecedented investment in its future.

READ MORE
Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

READ MORE
Braehead just got cooler as Snowflake Gelato debuts in Scotland

Braehead just got cooler as Snowflake Gelato debuts in Scotland

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, is delighted to announce the arrival of Snowflake Gelato.

READ MORE
Community curated film festival brings world class cinema to Greenock this Galoshans Festival

Community curated film festival brings world class cinema to Greenock this Galoshans Festival

Free and low-cost screenings showcase Horror, Heritage, and Homegrown Talent selected by local curators and young people.

READ MORE
Aldi to open a pop up pumpkin patch in Renfrew this Halloween for one day only

Aldi to open a pop up pumpkin patch in Renfrew this Halloween for one day only

Families are in for a spook-tacular surprise this Halloween, as Aldi is transforming part of its Renfrew store into a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on Saturday 25th October.

READ MORE
Halloween takes over town this weekend

Halloween takes over town this weekend

Paisley Halloween Festival will return this weekend with a packed programme to fright and delight visitors!

READ MORE
The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.

READ MORE
KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.

READ MORE
Horror Con Scotland takes over Paisley Town Hall this Halloween Weekend

Horror Con Scotland takes over Paisley Town Hall this Halloween Weekend

Scotland's scariest convention is heading to Renfrewshire for a two-day Halloween spectacular!

READ MORE
Help Provost Cameron light up Renfrewshire this Christmas

Help Provost Cameron light up Renfrewshire this Christmas

Renfrewshire's Provost, Lorraine Cameron is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2025.

READ MORE
Grab some Buddie Good Deals here in Paisley town centre this October!

Grab some Buddie Good Deals here in Paisley town centre this October!

Grab some Buddie Good Deals in Paisley town centre from Saturday 11th October until Saturday 25th October.

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted

Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted

There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!

READ MORE
Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC

Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC

Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Renfrewshire Council
One Ren
Hostelworld
ATG

Sponsored Links

Pace Youth Theatre
Glasgow Science Centre
Renfrewshire Council
Pace Youth Theatre
Renfrewshire Council
One Ren
Hostelworld
ATG

Popular Events

An ABBA Dream
An Abba Dream, one of Scotland's top Abba tributes, come to The Bungalow Paisley on Friday 6th February!
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On
The countdown to Paisley's Christmas begins with the switching on of the town's Christmas lights on Saturday 15th November!
Outside The Original
Outside The Original is an exciting project from James Finnigan of Hue and Cry and Stiltskin fame, catch them live at The Bungalow Paisley on Saturday 7th March!
Wreath Making Workshop
Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a complete beginner, you’ll leave with a gorgeous handmade wreath - perfect for adding a personal touch to your door this season!
Renfrewshire Business Network - November Meeting
Increase your business contacts and grow your network at the next Renfrewshire Business Network meeting which is being held at Houston Kiltmakers, Paisley on Friday 28th November.

Popular Listings

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Old Swan Inn Paisley Paisley Abbey Paisley Arts Centre Paisley Town Hall Robertson Park Renfrew The Bungalow Paisley Venue Paisley