THE apparently doomed Wildcat Theatre group responded to claims that it is out of touch with modern society yesterday by launching an Internet website.
It is the latest stage in a campaign for the reinstatement of its annual revenue grant, worth #200,000 last year, which is not to be renewed by the Scottish Arts Council.
Wildcat will present a 40,000-strong petition along with further evidence to support its case at a final appeal on January 29. Despite continued support from Glasgow City Council, the theatre group will fold without further funding.
The website offers supporters the chance to sign the petition electronically, as well as providing details of the company's latest production, An Actress Prepares, which goes on tour at the end of the month regardless of the funding threat.
Mr David MacLennan, Wildcat's artistic director, was quietly confident yesterday. He said: ''We have a strong case if rational thought is brought to bear.
''The growth of Scottish theatre should not be at the expense of other groups already doing a good job. What is vitally important is a variety of choice for Scottish theatregoers.''
He added that any funding offer, not just a renewal of its full grant, would be considered by the company board.
The campaign has been adopted by The Big Issue in Scotland. In its latest issue, arts editor and Wildcat website designer Iain S Bruce, describes the Scottish Arts Council as ''a secretive clique that has the future of the country's artists and millions of pounds of public money in a stranglehold''.
Wildcat has been praised over the last 20 years for bringing social issues to the stage and regularly touring outside the central belt. A benefit performance for its fighting fund takes place at the King's Theatre, Glasgow, on February 15.
Wildcat's website can be found at http://cbcweb.com/wildcat.
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