Country music fans defy ban over 'racist' Confederate flag as Scots National Theatre pull plug on venue

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) pulled out of plans to stage a major production at a famous music club engulfed by a ‘racism’ row.NTS was set to premiere a new drama about country and western music at the Grand Ole Opry in Glasgow - believing it to be the “perfect venue”.But the prestigious company withdrew earlier this month because of the simmering row over the ongoing ceremonial use of the Confederate flag, which many now regard as racist and representative of white supremacist views.The Daily Record told last week of how some regulars at Scotland’s biggest country and western club have mutinied over a ban on the flag.Grand Ole Opry stalwarts are battling to maintain a “flag folding” ceremony that reveres the blue and red cross - despite club officials reporting a series of cancelled bookings and regular late night rammies.We can also reveal that rebel club members launched a petition at the weekend to restore the Confederate “Southern Cross” flag to the centre of club events.And some members wore shirts emblazoned with the flag.One source said: “The National Theatre of Scotland saw the Grand Ole Opry as the perfect venue for a production about country and western music, which they are keeping under wraps for now but are very excited about.“They didn’t want to be associated with anything racist.“There was some talk about taking down the Confederate flag during the performances but producers could see how that could backfire quite badly if they simply put them up again after the play had moved on.”In an email, NTS wrote: “National Theatre of Scotland has made a commitment to becoming an anti-racist organisation, with part of this commitment including considering not just the work that we present but the places