A fond farewell to Garry Robson

On this – the final day of January 2018 – we’re announcing that Garry Robson is leaving BOP after five years as one of our Artistic Directors. His work for the company has had an incredible impact on theatre in Scotland – most recently as director of The Tin Soldier, our show for young people in December 2017. Alongside Robert Softley Gale, Garry turned BOP in to the first disability-led arts company in Scotland and having just delivered extensive workshops to the theatre sector in Mexico, we can see what benefit this work has had, both at home and overseas.

This isn’t goodbye – Garry will remain a close ally of BOP and we wish him every best wish for the future. He has just started rehearsals for Our Country’s Good, touring England spring/summer.

During his time as Artistic Director Garry has written, performed and directed a number of productions including; The Irish Giant as writer and director, The Man Who Lived Twice as writer, Crazy Jane, Urod! The Last Show, Miranda & Caliban, Role Shift and The Tin Soldier as director, Mother Courage and Her Children and Blanche & Butch as performer.

Garry Robson says “I’ve loved my time at Birds of Paradise. It’s been great working alongside Robert and the rest of an exceptional staff team and Board – full of energy, commitment and imagination. During these years I’m proud to have been part of a process that has seen BOP carve out a respected place for itself within the Scottish theatre infrastructure, creating several ground-breaking shows that have received critical and audience acclaim, working closely with the sector to support and develop the next generation of D/deaf and disabled artists and performers and becoming flag bearers in developing Creative Access in Scotland whilst successfully delivering Disability Equality Training to a whole host of theatres, arts centres, community projects and community businesses. Set alongside our work with D/deaf and disabled young people – breakthrough projects such as L4T that led to the Barriers report and its ongoing impact on youth arts provision – and our work on the international stage it’s been a pretty amazing few years, something recognised well beyond Scotland’s Borders. I decided to move on well before Creative Scotland dropped its most recent bombshell, because I felt the company were in a strong and secure place with an excellent workforce and exciting future plans and I wished to continue to develop my career as a performer and writer. Till the next time. Garry xx”

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