ONE of Scotland’s most visionary theatre companies is to close permanently at the end of the month, following Creative Scotland’s decision last year to cut its funding. Fire Exit artistic director David Leddy made the announcement the day before he gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s culture committee’s inquiry into arts funding.
Over 17 years, the company has produced 12 highly acclaimed productions such as 2009’s White Tea, 2014’s political thriller City Of The Blind and 2015’s International Waters, an epic fable inspired by the ongoing refugee crisis which earned five-star reviews. With shows such as 2009’s Herald Angel Award-winning Sub Rosa, a haunting promenade piece through the bowels of the Citizens Theatre, Leddy more than earned his place as one of modern Scottish theatre’s great mavericks.
In Fire Exit’s recent show Coriolanus Vanishes, the writer/director took the stage to perform the tense monologue following an award-winning performance in the role by Irene Allan.
Leddy’s Jean Genet tribute The Last Bordello premiered in February 2018 – the same month Creative Scotland cut Fire Exit’s funding by 100%.
Despite an open letter contesting the decision being signed by over a hundred artists and producers including former Makar Liz Lochhead, it may be that The Last Bordello was Fire Exit’s final bow.
In the short statement, Leddy said he plans “to stop making theatre and pursue a new career”.
Fire Exit will publish two books on June 20: Pyromaniac, a deluxe art book telling the history of the playwright’s work and Hits And Misses, an e-book of play texts from 2006 to the present day, including four plays “that were written but will now never be staged”.
www.davidleddy.com
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