Co-founding director of Krazy Kat Theatre Company
Having trained as a community worker at Aberdeen University and Manchester Polytechnic, Alastair went on to co-found the highly successful GUIZER THEATRE COMPANY. Based in the Scottish North East, GUIZER developed a strong visual style of community-based theatre, touring the highways and bye-ways of Aberdeenshire, with frequent visits to the Shetland Islands. He continued his studies at the Dell Arte School of Mime and Comedy in Blue Lake California. He was then Director of Bury Metro Arts Association in U.K., Theatre Animateur for Essex County Council, and Education Officer for Polka Children’s Theatre in London. He studied Commedia dell’ Arte with Sandra Archer, Carlo Bosso, and Phillipe Gaulier; Theatre of the Oppressed with Augusto Boal; Clowning with Slava Polunin, Reg Bolton and Annie Stainer. Alastair held a Diploma in Integrated Counselling, Newham College, London.
The committee of the West Sussex Deaf Children’s Society introduced an award in Alastair’s name in 2006.
The Award is presented to the child that has achieved something over and above what they are normally capable of doing – big or small. Quite often the “big” achievers get recognition from their school/club etc. It is the “small” achiever that should get more and that it is open to all age groups in the society. Kinny chooses the recipient and is delighted and honoured to be doing so.
Alastair Scott Macmillan passed away on Saturday 8th October 2005, after a short illness.
I knew Alastair Scott Macmillan as one of a select band of dedicated figures dispensing their knowledge, skills and craft in the vast labyrinth of children’s world of make-believe and theatrical aspirations.
With his partner and life long friend, the wonderfully talented Kinny Gardner, he formed The Krazy Kat theatre Company in 1981. They dedicated themselves to entertaining, educating and inspiring young people around the world. Today the company, based in Brighton, is seen as a legendary entertaining partnership, not only to UK youngsters, but as far afield as Holland, France, Italy, Spain, USA , New Zealand and Australia.
I first met Alastair when I was touring with Kinny as a member of the Lindsay Kemp Company, in Italy. He was one of the warmest and most gentle characters who make up the diverse world of the theatrical family. Alastair’s manner, quiet charm, countenance and later courage must be an example and lesson to us all. His talent, generosity of spirit and dedication to the closer roots and essential place of theatre in young peoples lives cannot be underestimated.
An extraordinary individual, he has left his indelible mark in the field, the brief glimpses I saw of him at work with the young left me in awe. Throughout a life dedicated to giving, he was as gentle a man and artist as has lived in the modern world today.