Theatre funds 'money well spent'

Millions of pounds - much of it public funds - spent on the revamp of Eden Court Theatre was money well spent according to the venue's director.

Colin Marr said space added to the building was well used. The theatre has also picked up national awards.

The venue's revamp was completed a year ago about 12 weeks later than expected and £3m over budget.

A row over its funding led to the resignation of a senior councillor from Highland Council's administration.

Eden Court is hosting the Inverness Film Festival, which runs until 23 November.

EDEN COURT FACT FILE

• The venue's five open spaces, one with a 264-seater area.
• Classes on offer include acapella singing, piano for late beginners, animation and family drumming.
• Inverness Film Festival is hosting the Scottish premieres of Hamlet 2; Genova, a ghost story starring Colin Firth, and of the German film Nordwand.

Mr Marr said: "The big trick for Eden Court was we were going from one theatre to two, one cinema to two and putting in two studios.

"The big headline emerging is that we are filling these spaces.

"We have filled both theatres with performances and cinemas with films and the attendances have been really good."

Mr Marr said there were things that could be done differently and adjustments to schedules were made at times.

The venue on the banks of the River Ness reopened last November following a major upgrade.

In April this year, the Scottish Government awarded £894,000 to help complete the refurbishment of the Highland Council-owned theatre.

Since reopening Eden Court has hosted comedy, musical conferences, the Highlands' first comics convention and a lecture by controversial scientist Richard Dawkins.

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