The legacy of the head of a soup empire’s friendship with a Moray theatre company will help the group flourish for years to come.
Gordon Baxter, who died in February 2013, has links with the Elgin-based Out of the Darkness Theatre Company (ODTC) stretching back more than a decade.
Now the charity that bears his name has funded a workshop to allow the organisation’s cast of actors and technicians to gain skills in crafting sets and props.
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Yesterday, the facility, which is kitted-out with tools, workbenches, storage cabinets and safety equipment, was officially opened.
Members of the performing arts group, which supports about 45 people with learning disabilities, are now ready to build backdrops that will set the scene for ODTC’s future productions.
Group member Grant Christie explained that the windfall had also allowed them to buy a design kit, known as Stage in a Box, which allows them to put together small-scale sets before they are brought to life for the stage.
The 22-year-old said: “It’s going to be very useful. It will allow us to see what the stage will look like before we build the set.”
The workshop has been funded by a £3,000 award from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, which manages the personal legacies of the Speyside couple.
The charity, which was established in 2014, has set a target of passing £1 million in awards to worthy causes across the north and north-east of Scotland by the end of the year.
Foundation manager Kay Jackson said: “Gordon Baxter first met with members of ODTC about 15 years ago. They came along to Fochabers to make their very own visual presentation on how this group was successfully changing lives for the better.
“Gordon was not only very impressed by their enthusiasm and determination but also in the excellent teamwork in presenting their work. The trustees are delighted that the group has continued to flourish – both on stage and behind the scenes.”
ODTC was founded in 1992 and since 2004 has been working with Moray College UHI to offer qualifications in acting and theatre performance.
