7:84's The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil in 1974

A petition by 7:84 which says closure is "almost definite" when funding ceases in August was presented to a Holyrood committee on Wednesday.

MSPs on the public petitions committee have agreed to ask the Scottish Arts Council why funding is being axed.

The arts council had raised concerns about 7:84's "artistic quality" and will hear an appeal in August.

More than 20 MSPs have signed two motions calling for continued funding.

There are nearly 1,700 signatures on an e-petition calling on the executive to act urgently to prevent the closure.

Chairman Chris Bartter said: "Without urgent action, the closure of 7:84 will be inevitable.

"The demise of the company will leave a void not filled by any other in Scotland.

The country doesn't need this kind of arbiter, unelected and unaccountable, with a notion of 'excellence' that means hee-haw in Govan Dave Anderson Actor

"Since it was established it has had and continues to have a unique and vital role in Scottish life and our society will be poorer without it."

The company started life in England and was launched in Scotland in 1973 by writer John McGrath on socialist principles, staging social and political productions.

It became known for plays like The Cheviot, The Stag And The Black, Black Oil, which was filmed by the BBC.

Famous names to have featured in its productions include Sea Of Souls star Bill Paterson, former Doctor Who Sylvester McCoy and Dave Anderson of Gregory's Girl fame.

Community theatre

Mr Anderson said: "The country doesn't need this kind of arbiter, unelected and unaccountable, with a notion of 'excellence' that means hee-haw in Govan.

"What we need is investment in the touring theatre circuit, before the Scottish Arts Council totally decimates it, in the name of 'excellence'.

"We need to stimulate the kind of work that makes sense in the communities before there are no gigs left, before the theatre becomes once again exclusively high-brow and for people like me - boring."

The company has assembled a cross-party group of supporters among MSPs, including Labour's Cathy Peattie, Sandra White of the SNP, Liberal Democrat Donald Gorrie, Green Patrick Harvie and Rosie Kane of the Scottish Socialist Party.

Appeal date

A meeting is also being sought with Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson.

The name 7:84 comes from a statistic published in the 1960s which asserted that 7% of the nation's population owned 84% of its wealth.

The Scottish Arts Council will hear an appeal from 7:84 in August.

A spokeswoman said: "In recent years, evaluation of the work of 7:84 Theatre Company has consistently raised concerns about the company's artistic quality."