Thrilling online season showcasing Scotland's theatrical talent ends on a high

An innovative digital project created by the National Theatre of Scotland in response to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak has drawn to a close with the final four short films in the series now available online.

Scenes for Survival involves a host of Scottish performers, writers, and directors creating short pieces of digital theatre remotely from their personal spaces of isolation, with films released online for audiences to enjoy for free.

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The project has served as an inventive alternative online season of short works, following the enforced cancellation of productions and performances from the National Theatre of Scotland, as well as by venues and theatre companies across Scotland.

Since launching with six films in May, the programme has seen new short artworks released online each week throughout the following months. To date, the programme has garnered over 15 million views across all platforms.

Following the final Scenes for Survival releases, all of the short dramatic works from the project will remain online, and free for audiences to view, for the next two years. A selection of Scenes for Survival films have also been released on BBC iPlayer, as well as being broadcast on the BBC Scotland channel in August.

Natalie Moore Williams in Babe RainbowNatalie Moore Williams in Babe Rainbow
Natalie Moore Williams in Babe Rainbow

The latest pieces include The Present, a tender poetic lament to an absent loved one from writer Stef Smith; The Park, Andy McGregor’s heart-warming ode to childhood during lockdown; Danni the Champion, a powerful short drama from writer Ian Finlay Macleod about a teenager frustration with her slow-paced island life; and The Longest Summer a joyous, life-affirming musical short from Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie.

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The 55 short pieces of digital theatre have been created by some of Scotland’s most exciting performers, writers, directors, and other creatives working from their personal spaces of isolation.

The has also acted as a way to raise money for a new hardship fund for artists and those in the theatre industry who have been hit financially by the current crisis.

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