Scottish National Players
This collection includes correspondence, leaflets, photographs, playbills, presscuttings, programmes and scripts
The company's first performance was Chatelard on 13th January 1921 in the Royal Institute in Glasgow. On February 1922 the Scottish National Theatre Society was formed to run the company. Its aims were to develop Scottish drama, to encourage the public's taste for good drama, and to found a Scottish National theatre. Among those on the committee were the playwrights James Bridie and John Brandane. Among their producers and directors was the young Tyrone Guthrie. It also served as a training ground for actors - Jean Taylor Smith, James Gibson and Grace McChlery all began with the Players. Apart from their producer/director who was professional, the company were highly committed amateurs. Throughout their existence the Scottish National Players toured Scotland and parts of England from the early 1920s to the late 1940s.
The highlight of their year was their touring productions. This usually meant camping, or sharing a small caravan. The company shared all the domestic duties as well as acting in productions. This type of company was in the tradition of the small groups of travelling troupes, known as Pennygeggies or Geggies, which existed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
How to find material relating to the Scottish National Players
- Browse through a list of documents or events associated with the Scottish National Players or use the Name Search option on the Scottish Theatre Archive Search
