New theatre degree gets nod from Cox

A NEW Masters degree in theatre studies was launched yesterday under a new creative partnership between Dundee University and Dundee Rep Theatre, with the backing of Hollywood star Brian Cox.

The degree course will combine expertise from the School of Humanities and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design at the university, together with the professional support of the city’s theatre company.

Brian Cox, the rector of the university, said yesterday: “This is a major event for both the university and the Rep, the organic coming together of two major institutions.

“It is both brave and original in its vision. The concept of a ‘creative campus’ establishes a vital link between a working theatre and the university community and opens up the possibilities of a new and vital way of creating a syllabus of practical, aesthetic and academic theatre courses wrapped in the principal of excellence.”

Professor Christopher Whatley, vice-principal of the university, said: “We are delighted to enter into what is a new phase of our relationship with Dundee Rep. We anticipate that this fusion of talents will lead to higher levels of academic and artistic achievement.”