THE NEWS THAT the work on Eden Court Theatre in Inverness has run into delays will come as no great surprise, given the cost and complexity of the project they have undertaken. Colin Marr has always admitted that the projected re-opening date of late 2006 (in time for the panto was the original fingers-crossed target) would depend on a hassle-free operation, and that was never really on the cards.

Delays with the tendering process and rising costs have now pushed a likely completion date back to May, 2007, and that assumes that the current issues – and any further difficulties – can be ironed out without further delays.

Since Eden Court has always been seen as a key part of the infrastructure for the Highland Year of Culture in 2007, which will now be half-way through – and maybe more – by the time it is likely to be available, it does raise the question of how sensible the timetabling of both the refurbishment and Highland 2007 itself really was?

Preparations for Highland 2007 itself are still moving forward, although little flesh has yet been put on the bones of the project with regard to the kinds of arts events we are likely to see emerging (most of the big announcements to date have featured sporting events). Doubtless Eden Court will be key to many of them, including the ongoing ‘Highland Quest’ project to commission a new musical, so details may remain sketchy for some time to come.

Our lead interview this month is the second part of an extensive chat with George Gunn, the Caithness poet, playwright, and the artistic director of Grey Coast Theatre. As ever, George has plenty of interest to say as he reflects on his childhood, his start in writing, the state of Highland theatre, and his working methods.

We have several more articles pencilled in for the course of November, as well as the usual news and reviews. The planned redesign of the site is moving forward, and we look forward to unveiling the new look in the near future.

Kenny Mathieson
Commissioning Editor