A ROW over changes to funding in the theatre sector deepened last night as it was claimed the move would cause a talent drain in Scotland.

Artistic directors hit out at the Creative Scotland changes and said the quality of theatre productions was likely to suffer as a result of the plans.

The new scheme, which will be introduced from April next year, means organisations will have to apply for funding based on their programme of work, rather than gaining the two-year flexible funding now on offer.

Creative Scotland said it is offering help to organisations to allow them to deal with the changes, but theatre groups claimed they could be forced to move away from Scotland or risk collapse if the changes go ahead.

Leading director Matthew Lenton, of touring theatre company Vanishing Point, was the first to speak out against the plans, as reported exclusively in yesterday's Herald. He received the backing of the artistic director of the National Theatre of Scotland Vicky Featherstone.

Judith Harrison, co-artistic director at multi award-winning theatre company Grid Iron, has now joined the dispute, claiming the plan is a major blow to the theatre industry.

She said: "We are all under threat and the changes Creative Scotland are trying to make completely beggar belief.

"In the closing years of the Scottish Arts Council they had done so much good work. They completely understood we needed security and infrastructure and they made investment and the Scottish arts sector flourished.

"But now how on earth are organisations supposed to survive when they cannot plan beyond the end of their nose?

"I know some organisations are facing the prospect of leaving Scotland, but I've lived here for 20 years, it's more likely I would have to leave the sector.

"This will definitely have an effect on the work we are producing in Scotland. If you're struggling to survive you're never going to be at your most creative.

"And there's definitely going to be a talent drain as people will go elsewhere and artists may choose not to come here at all, meaning Scotland's theatre is really going to miss out."

A total of 49 organisations are set to lose regular funding under the plans and will have to apply for individual project funding.

A further 22 organisations will receive an annual funding agreement, while core funding has also been offered to 44 major "foundation" organisations.

Jamie Harrison, co-artistic director of theatre group Vox Motus, which stands to lose long-term funding, said the changes were a "large step backwards".

He added: "The worry for us is in between projects which are funded, we're going to have to find other income streams which are not necessarily creative.

"The brilliant thing about the flexible funding was we were given the freedom and trust to deliver the goods. But there's the potential for this scheme to be damaging long term to the quality of work in Scotland."

Mr Harrison also said he is aware of other companies who see no option but to leave the country. He added: "We're worried that there's going to be a drain on talent."

Dominic Hill, artistic director of the Citizens Theatre, said: "Theatres like the Citizens rely on the country's small-scale companies, not only to provide us with shows to put on in our theatres, but also to ensure the ongoing employment and development of our theatre artists."

Meanwhile, Mark Thomson, artistic director of The Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh said: "It is not wrong to say the sector is troubled and lacks the confidence it would ideally have."

A Creative Scotland spokesman said: "Creative Scotland's plans for future investment are based around a programme of work.

"Costs, such as overheads, can be budgeted for in a company's programme planning, and as such, included in any organisation's application.

"Organisations are currently preparing their applications for a programme of work and we are offering support and advice as required, as well as continuing discussions with a range of sector representatives."