Outlander star Sam Heughan reveals backing for Scottish youth theatre company as new fund launched

Outlander star Sam Heughan has agreed to fund a leading youth theatre company for the next three years to help give children across Edinburgh the chance to follow in his footsteps regardless of their financial circumstances.

Actor Sam Heughan. Picture: Robbie McFadzean | Royal Conservatoire of Scotland/Robbie McFadzean

He has joined forces with stage and screen star Shauna Macdonald to back her Edinburgh Youth Theatre (EYT) company's work with young people aged between five and 19.

Actress Shauna Macdonald is artistic director of Edinburgh Youth Theatre. | Supplied

Macdonald, the star of Spooks, The Descent, Filth, The Scotts and Shetland, said efforts to ensure the company was open to all had been in "jeopardy" before Heughan's backing was secured.

Heughan, who grew up in the Scottish capital, said he wanted to help the company "remove obstacles and financial barriers" to its classes and workshops. His backing will help provide training and resources for one-to-one support for participants.

The company, which has been running classes in Portobello since 2018, will also be expanding to the Dalry area in 2025.

Macdonald, artistic director of EYT, said Heughan's support had effectively "secured the future for any young person in Edinburgh who wants to experience the joy of attending a bold, ambitious and welcoming youth theatre".

The actress, who works with EYT managing director Jo Jeffries, said Heughan's backing would "transform the future for so many young people across the city".

Heughan is a former member of the Lyceum Youth Theatre in Edinburgh, while Macdonald was involved with both Brunton Youth Theatre in Musselburgh and Paisley Youth Theatre, where she met actor James McAvoy, who is EYT's patron.

An official announcement on the launch of the Sam Heughan Access and Inclusion Fund states: "Each week, hundreds of young people attend classes, workshops and projects.

"Many of the students face barriers to participation and need additional support to thrive. We can now support the future participation for these young people."

Heughan said: "I am thrilled to support Edinburgh Youth Theatre in their plight to remove obstacles and financial barriers, so any young person in Edinburgh can have a sustained and meaningful experience in the arts.

"Shauna Macdonald and Jo Jeffries do incredible work at EYT and their commitment to access and inclusion has inspired me to help them. I understand the impact a great youth theatre can have on a young person. I am so excited to start this adventure with EYT."

Macdonald said: "I am over the moon at Sam's support and generosity. Through this time of austerity, we've had to work extra hard to ensure that all our students and their families can still access our youth theatre. This money means that their participation is no longer in jeopardy.

“We believe strongly that the arts are for everyone. In order to supply accessible and inclusive experiences, you need to have resources, compassion and money. This donation will transformation the future for so many young people across the city.

“Sam and I have been friends for a long time and we both share the same appreciation for the experiences we were exposed to through our participation in youth theatre. Sam has generously given back to the grassroots community in which his creative journey began.”