To help the Cottier launch its 2011 come-back season, Black Light provided the theatre with a ground support truss system. This assistance underlines Black Light's support for small- and medium-scale, innovative venues.
"Black light have always been a great supporter of Scottish theatre, now they are helping us to reopen a great Scottish theatre," says Pete Sneddon technical director from SCENEgineering, who is the Cottier's venue manger and artistic director. "The Cottier is a venue like no other and holds a special place in Scottish theatre's heart. It's not just the physical, nuts and bolts help from Black Light that makes the difference, it's the fact that they care and are as excited to see The Cottier reopen as we are."
The Cottier Theatre is an 'A' Listed building located at the edge of the old village of Partick in the West End of Glasgow. The theatre first opened in its main building in 1994 and operated for 10 years until it closed for restoration in 2005. After five years of roof repairs, stained glass conservation work and basement excavations, the theatre reopened its doors on 29th March with a performance of The Count of Monte Cristo.
"We are delighted to be able to help the Cottier in such a practical way," says Black Light's head of company development Phil Haldane. "We believe that by supporting venues like this, we're helping to breathe new life into Scotland's performance culture at a time when cuts are making everyone nervous about the future."
The Cottier Theatre is supported by the National Lottery through the Lottery Heritage Fund and by Historic Scotland. The restoration of the theatre has provided a comfortable, well-supported performance space that is suitable for professional productions and also capable of supporting a wide range of community uses. The building now provides an atmospheric theatre venue in an impressive Gothic building.
Upcoming shows at the theatre include a night of humour, courtesy of the Magners Glasgow Comedy Festival, and Six Black Candles, an award-winning play about witchcraft and revenge.
(Jim Evans)
