Dr Who star ‘upset’ by drama-school cuts
Fears cash worry will hit reputation
Published:
DR WHO star David Tennant has backed a campaign opposing cutbacks at his former drama school.
The actor said he found the prospect of cuts at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama upsetting.
Supporters fear that the need to make £600,000 of savings, announced earlier this year, will compromise standards at the Glasgow-based institution.
Mr Tennant said: “The drama training I received was world-class and the idea that the opportunities I got there might be compromised for future generations is deeply upsetting.
“I have seen how Scotland’s actors are valued and admired throughout the world. I would hate to see a lack of both immediate and long-term funding jeopardise the future of that hard-won reputation.”
Campaigners claim the academy, which boasts actors James McAvoy, Billy Boyd and John Hannah among its former students, faces losing top staff to its competitors if it does not get extra money.
His comments come two weeks after campaigners held a musical protest outside the Scottish Parliament.
Students claim that, since 1992, the academy has been given only half the funding it needs for drama, and the drama school has been subsidised by the music school.
But a mandatory pay award for teaching staff has left the academy with £600,000 to find for the next academic year, they say.
