Actress Karen Gillan voices sadness at theatre funding cuts
Inverness actress Karen Gillan has voiced her sadness after it emerged Eden Court Theatre is cutting its drama course because of budget cuts.
In a tweet, she said: "Sad to hear about the cuts in @EdenCourt. As Creative Ambassador, I owe so much to the Higher Drama course and wish others could too."
Youngsters from all over the region attend classes at the theatre to gain a national 5 (formerly intermediate 2) qualification in drama but the venue cannot afford to continue the popular course after Highland Council agreed last month to slash Eden Court’s funding by £100,000.
Higher drama and dance will be protected for next year and the theatre said it might also be at risk.
Ms Gillan, who is from the Kinmylies area of Inverness, attended the theatre’s youth dance company, senior youth theatre, and undertook both her SQA Higher Drama and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts exams at the theatre.
She shot to fame playing Amy Pond in the popular BBC TV series, Doctor Who, before securing roles in film such as Oculus and Guardians of the Galaxy.
She is currently preparing for filming in Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume Two.
