Big names back theatre as funding crisis puts its future at risk
Plus: City’s buses and trams ‘best in the UK’ and arrests over city centre football violence
Theatre needs urgent support ‘to keep the show on the road’
The acclaimed Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh has warned its future is at risk as the country’s arts funding crisis starts to bite.
The Trust which runs the East Lothian venue says it cannot continue to run its programme of “world class” music, alongside theatre, dance, comedy and film, without urgent support.
It has warned it is months away from running out of money as it faces funding cuts and uncertainty following the Covid lockdown and the discovery of ‘crumbling concrete’ in its home building.
Comedian Craig Hill is among the big names in the arts world to back the Brunton’s appeal for extra support.
Cash crisis: The Brunton is one of 281 organisations in limbo after Creative Scotland delayed decisions on £87.5 million in long-term funding due to uncertainty over December’s Scottish Government budget. That comes after its £450,000 a year funding from East Lothian Council was cut by almost half as the local authority faced its own cash crisis.
‘Perfect storm’: Following the Covid lockdown, RAAC ‘crumbling concrete’ was discovered in the council-owned Brunton Hall. That has left the Brunton Theatre Trust to continue its programme of entertainment - including the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Still Game comedy stars Mark Cox and Jane McCarry - at other venues across East Lothian.
Appeal for support: Michael Stitt, chair of the Brunton Theatre Trust, said: “We are now in a very difficult financial situation and urgently need support from East Lothian Council, Creative Scotland, the Scottish Government, and the public to ensure we can continue to deliver the same level of high-quality arts, culture and entertainment events and education projects throughout 2025 and beyond."
Big name backing: Tony Mills, artistic director at Scotland’s national dance centre Dance Base, said the Brunton had given him “career changing” opportunities and described some of its musical offering as “world class”. Louise Gilmour-Wills, producer at the award-winning Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, described it as “an incredibly important cultural organisation".
YOUR EDINBURGH BRIEFING
BEST BUSES AND TRAMS: Lothian Buses and Edinburgh’s Trams have been recognised as the best in the UK at a prestigious transport awards ceremony. They were named Bus and Tram Operator of the Year respectively at the UK National Transport Awards. Lothian saw passenger numbers grow 17% last year to more than 110 million journeys, while the trams dubled passenger numbers following the opening of the Newhaven extension.
FOOTBALL ARRESTS: Three teenagers, aged 16-18, and a 22-year-old man have been charged in connection with violence and disorder in St Andrew Square following Hibs match against Motherwell on Saturday. Witnesses have described seeing bottles thrown by rival supporters before dozens of police broke up the disturbance around 5pm.
CYBER HELP: Edinburgh-based Cyber and Fraud Hub has relaunched its “A Guide to Avoiding Frauds and Scams for Older People” in the wake of statistics this year from Age Scotland showing that over 400,000 older people have been targeted by scammers. The guide addresses some of the most common forms of cyber and fraud crime, and will be distributed through local community networks as well as being available online at cyberfraudhub.org.
XMAS TREE MAZE: St Andrew Square is to host a maze of 450 Christmas trees as part of this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations. The festivities, which return on 15 November, will also feature regular favourites such as the ferris wheel, ice rink, StarFlyer and helter-skelter. Sensory backpacks, including ear defenders and fidget spinners, will also be made available around the markets for anyone who feel overwhelmed by the large crowds.
GORGIE FARM MOTHBALLED: Gorgie City Farm has been mothballed while the council pursues talks with five interested parties who hope to reopen the popular family visitor attraction. It closed amid financial struggles more than 18 months ago. A report by the Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) warned significant investment was needed to allow the dilapadated site to reopen. Green councillors have raised concerns that leaving the site empty until next April risks seeing it fall into further disrepair.
UNLIKELY ALLIES: Conservative city councillor Joanna Mowat has been hailed as an “unlikely working class hero” after raising concerns about the abrupt closure of the People’s Story museum. Gary Smith, Edinburgh-born and raised general secretary of the GMB union, welcomed her support alongside trade unionists campaigning to keep the Royal Mile reopen the museum. Writing in The Times, Mr Smith said the city’s working class history was being sacrificed for a Disney version of its story.
FATAL CRASH CHARGES: A 41-year-old man has been charged with road traffic offences following the death of a US historian in Edinburgh. Dr William Noel, 58, from Philadelphia, died following a crash in Trinity in April.
RACECOURSE BREAK-IN: Musselburgh Racecourse lost gardening equipment worth more than £10,000 after thieves with angle grinders broke into their premises. It follows a succession of vandal attacks which have cost the course £30,000 this year. General manager Bill Farnsworth described the recent events as “frustrating and very expensive".
THE BUSINESS
LEAGUE RECORD: The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) – which runs the leading leagues in Scotland - has grown its turnover to a highest-ever figure of £44.3m. The SPFL annual accounts reveal turnover has risen by £2.4m, or 6%, largely due to a new Sky Sports TV deal.
GROWTH FUNDERS: Puma Private Equity, recently rebranded to Puma Growth Partners, has established an Edinburgh base as it says Scotland is “a hub for innovation and technology” which is attracting global investment. The city office will be led by investment director Ben Leslie.
CHECK-IN REVAMP: Edinburgh International Airport has launched a £5.8 million project to redesign its check-in hall, creating more space for passengers. Work is already underway on a full redesign in areas currently used by Ryanair, Jet2.com and some other carriers, which will utilise more self-service technology and digital wayfinding. The works are expected to be completed by Spring next year.
NORTHERN LIGHTS: Airline Jet2 is to run two dedicated Northern Lights trips from Edinburgh International Airport to Iceland early next year, including one four-night trip on February 5 and one three-night trip on February 9.
MUCKLE CONGRATULATIONS: PR and communications agency Muckle Media – which has an office in George Street in Edinburgh - has been recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing by Great Place to Work UK in the 2024 small and medium category. The award is based on anonymous employee surveys. The company is a regional winner in the People and Work category in the British Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year awards.
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
KATE BUSH TRIBUTE: The magic of Kate Bush is brought to the stage by a powerful 8-woman ensemble from San Diego, California. They promise “other-worldly versions” of all your Bush favourites, with four-part harmonies and epic choreographed pieces. Baby Bushka is at Summerhall tomorrow night, at 7pm.
HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL: Former Strictly Come Dancing star Joanne Clifton leads the cast of Hairspray at the Playhouse, tomorrow until Saturday. She stars as the “fierce yet fabulous” Velma von Tussle.
DEMENTIA THE MUSICAL: Scottish poet and writer Ron Coleman, who is living with dementia, has teamed up with leading jazz musician Sophie Bancroft and songwriter Andrew Eaton-Lewis to create a groundbreaking musical about the experience of living with the condition. Funny and moving, Dementia the Musical is at The Studio Theatre, Potterrow, on Saturday, at 2pm and 7.15pm.
QUICK BITES
NEW CUISINE: A new Ethiopian café has opened in Edinburgh. Muna’s on Gillespie Place in the Tollcross/Bruntsfield area and offers a range of dishes based around the injera flatbread.
PIZZA THE ACTION: Fired Dough Pizzas has opened at 151-153 Lothian Road, formerly Noddle ‘n’ Rice. The new restaurant serves “authentic Neapolitan pizza.”