Pop- up opera sails into Ayrshire for pirate tale
Pop- up opera performances are heading back on the road this summer, with performances in Troon, Girvan and Prestwick.
Audiences can catch three 25- minute shows this year, A Little Bit of La boheme, A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea.
Each bite- sized production is brought to life by a narrator, singers, musicians and a series of colourful illustration.
Scottish Opera’s fully accessible travelling opera house - a specially adapted trailer designed to look like a miniature version of Glasgow’s Theatre Royal - will visit Girvan and Prestwick on Wednesday, May 31 and Thursday, June 1 respectively.
And the converted pilot cutter Murray McDavid will sail into Troon Yacht Haven on Wednesday, June 21 for performances of A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea.
Jane Davidson, director of outreach and education, said: ‘ Once again, Scottish Opera is taking both high and low roads across Scotland to bring these miniature productions to festivals and events managed and run by local people.
“And this year we’re adding water to the mix! We’re delighted to be sailing into coastal resorts along the Clyde estuary aboard the Murray McDavid with operatic tales of pirates, pollution and preposterous puzzles! Our travelling opera houses are unique in the UK and we look forward very much to engaging with new audiences of all ages wherever they live and whatever their interests.”
A Little Bit of La boheme echoes Scottish Opera’s main stage production of La boheme, running from May 9 until June 17. Offering the best bits of Puccini’s much- loved opera, it tells the hopelessly romantic story of Rodolfo and Mini’s illfated love.
Another trimmed down performance comes from A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance, a version of one of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas. Frederic has fallen for Mabel, but he is apprentice to a pirate king and his blundering band of rogues.
And for young theatre fans, A Little Bit of Bubble McBea is a story for children aged four to seven. Bubble lives happily on a Scottish island with her dad, Barnacle McBea. She is joined by friends Shonny the Pony, the Sole Sister and Alex Salmon as she explores life under the sea.
For more information visit www. scottishopera. org. uk.