scene

Edinburgh District
Let me say right away that we in Edinburgh District fancy ourselves as innovators and hip dudes
(!) because over the years we have often been the first to try
something new or accept a challenge.
For example:-
●The SCDA script library began in a suitcase in Edinburgh in
1931; first of all for South Eastern Division then through various incarnations into the
fabulous National Script Library of today.
● We were the first to try an adjudicating panel. (Only lasted for a couple of years
and before my time).
● We were the first to circulate an electronic newsletter to a wide readership to help
clubs publicise shows and to appeal for costumes, props and casts.
● We were one of the first, (if not the first), District to have
s a website to compliment the national one.
s a Facebook page and Twitter account.
s all communication with clubs, and most individual members, by email .
● We made our one-act forms able to be completed online. This proved very popular with clubs and has saved such
an immense amount of trees, time and stamps. At first they were ‘Heath Robinson-type’ Word docs with added text
boxes, but later we created interactive PDFs.
● We have an active 3 member Emergency Panel of adjudicators who choose Best Moment In Theatre, (rather than
one person held in reserve to pontificate but not actually participating.)
● We introduced online ticket booking a couple of years ago.
Like in any District which includes a big city, our clubs face the extra challenge of competing with many professional
shows, and we are proud that many productions could not be differentiated from them (in fact some are better – and
no, that’s not me being biased –moi?!). Sadly, again as is the case with many Districts, only a few clubs take part in
the One-Acts. In addition to city clubs, we have three clubs from the Lothians within our remit, and more recently
‘adopted’ all the Borders clubs. Consequently, we stretch from Leith to Kelso; North Berwick to Livingston. We have
been described as “drama tarts” because many actors, techies and directors flit between groups, but we are very
proud of the way our clubs interact and are so willing to help each other.
I am intensely proud of our groups and here they introduce themselves with a wee bit info about their raison d’etre,
longevity and achievements
Arkle Theatre Company ..
We are not a club, and have no members! We hold open auditions for each show and cast the very best in each
show. Our actors past and present include many who have been professionally trained or have accumulated vast
experience of acting. We are also proud that we have cast actors who have gone on to train professionally after
appearing in one of our shows. Typically we produce 3 shows each year, with one towards the end of April each year
and two in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Captivate Drama:
Founded in 2009 with the aim of promoting affordable drama classes for children. Through weekly classes and courses,
we provide opportunities for young people to develop their acting, movement, singing and musicality skills. However, we
don’t just do drama classes - we also produce some of the best theatre in
Edinburgh. Hailed as a theatre company you can trust to do things right,
we are dedicated to creating theatre to the highest of standards.
Since August 2011, Captivate Drama has put on no fewer than 70
performances - 52 of them featuring in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe to
huge critical acclaim.
Captivate have not yet competed in the One-Acts but were pleased to
guest at Eastern’s Youth Divisional final in 2013.
Denholm Drama Group
In existence for nearly 50 years, we tour local village and church halls in
the Denholm/Jedburgh/Hawick area presenting one major performance
annually and smaller productions on a less regular basis.
We suffered a major setback when our base, Denholm Primary School, was razed to the ground by fire. The school has now
been re-built, and the group has procured new equipment, props and costumes, thanks to generous donations, local and
national grant awards and a lot of hard work by members. The lack of a base for performances for a couple of years led us to
explore repertory work and we are now equipped to perform almost anywhere that has a suitable electricity supply!
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