Highland theatre boss named as One To Watch in 2021
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The boss of Eden Court Theatre in Inverness has recognised for his work during a year dominated by the coronavirus pandemic.
James Mackenzie-Blackman is among those named in The Scotsman's 'One To Watch' for 2021, an annual honour made to seven individuals working across the creative industries in Scotland.
Mr Mackenzie-Blackman took up the role of the theatre's chief executive early in 2018.
In being highlighted as One To Watch, The Scotsman noted that in a year when the usual business of creating and staging live theatre had been put on hold, he had rapidly emerged as one of the leaders of Scotland’s theatre community, in taking the measure of the coronavirus crisis and in beginning to develop the networks of new and reimagined relationships theatres would need, in order both to survive the pandemic and to thrive in its aftermath.
His inspired responses included helping Highland Council to set up and staff a Covid-19 helpline, providing volunteer and professional support for elderly people and nursery staff and transforming the building into a distribution hub for food packages, heading out to vulnerable households across the Highlands.
The theatre also pulled out the stops to provide a Christmas tree and light display which it called "our gift to the people" of the city.
The 30ft tree featured more than 3000 lights – one for each of the people who had died in Scotland from Covid-19, with more than 50 in the star atop the creation serving to commemorate the Highlanders who had been lost.
In a message posted on Twitter, Mr Mackenzie-Blackman said:"During 2020, it was my great privilege to work alongside my colleagues at @EdenCourt who continued to put the needs of the Highland community at the centre of everything we do, despite huge challenges.
"Our success relies on artists, audiences and our community working together to play their part in the success of our charity.
"If we get that right, for me, this will make @EdenCourt truly one-to-watch."
Related story: Watch: Eden Court shares video love letter to panto
