Round of applause for theatre’s 30th anniversary
Paisley’s only theatre celebrates a special birthday this month.
It is 30 years ago that the former Laigh Kirk opened as Paisley Arts Centre.
Since that time, it has hosted everything from comedy to drama, and not forgetting the much-loved Paisley panto, which is produced by the town’s own PACE theatre company.
Stars such as Jimmy Logan, Dorothy Paul, Kevin Bridges and many more have all trod its boards.
It is changed days since the old church was founded in 1738 by the Burgh of Paisley and the Presbytery of Paisley as the parish church for the area.
In those days, theatre was looked on by church people as a shameless activity.
But, many years later, with the church lying vacant, it was identified by Renfrewshire District Council as a prime site for a much-needed performance space in the town and work began to convert it into the place we know today.
Colleen Lupton, who is now customer service manager for PACE, first set foot in the arts centre more than a decade ago when her daughter Chloe was involved with panto.
She said: “I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I wasn’t a great lover of panto, but I was pleasantly surprised at the standard and quality of it.
“You feel like you are part of the performance because you are quite literally on the stage.”
And it is the arts centre’s location that Colleen sees as a great boon. “It’s on your doorstep,” she said. “You don’t have to worry about getting a train home.
“And when there was a bar you could have a drink too, and then you were home in 10 minutes.”
Long- time arts centre attendee David Norwood, 53, from Erskine, first set foot over the venue door in the late 1980s, and has been going ever since.
“I used to play in a band called 4am,” he said.
“It was great as the centre had a great atmosphere.
“It felt quite intimate. You are quite close to the crowd, so you can see faces and you get that interaction. “It was really good.” And David thinks the arts centre as a venue is far better than Paisley Town Hall for some occasions.
“The town hall is not as good for small bands. The arts centre is a great venue for this. “It’s been a significant venue for us.” Families will now have the chance to celebrate the 30th anniversary with a great day of free activities and entertainment on Saturday, July 22.
Joyce McKellar, chief executive of Renfrewshire Leisure, said: “This is a chance for families to come together and enjoy the activities we’re putting on as part of the Paisley Arts Centre’s 30th anniversary.
“There are lots of different kinds of artistic performances and workshops youngsters can take part in.
“This should be a really fun day for everyone.”
Everybody is invited to the family fun day that has been organised by Renfrewshire Leisure in and around the grounds of the arts centre.
Children can have fun at a puppet theatre and parlez français as they learn few French phrases at the same time with Le Petit Monde’s performance of Lapin Is Hungry.
It is narrated in English, while the puppets speak simple sentences in French.
The theatre shows are staged at 12.45pm and 3.15pm and are suitable for three to eight-year-olds.
There will also be the chance for young people to take part in a craft workshop, making necklaces and badges with French puppeteer Tania, from Le Petit Monde, at 1.45pm to 2.45pm.
And if you have ever wanted to try theatre on the move, then make sure you get involved in the walkabout theatre that is being held throughout the day as Ipdip Theatre performs Button, a story about a lift operator who loves ... buttons.
Artist Greg Sinclair will give a performance of music and movement between 12.30pm and 3.30pm.
And a PACE drama workshop exploring the themes from a Midsummer Night’s Dream is being held for youngsters over the age of 11, between 1pm and 2.30pm.
Free tickets are available for Lapin Is Hungry and the PACE workshop can be booked in advance by calling 0300 300 1210.
PACE will also perform Arcadia, at Paisley Arts Centre, on July 20, 21 and 22, at 8pm.
This is based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and is a promenade-theatre styled production around the arts centre grounds in search of gypsy- inspired fairies, roustabouts and 50s’ styled love-struck boppers.
Tickets cost £10 and £6 and they are available by calling 0300 300 1210 or from www. renfrewshireleisure. com/arts
What are you memories of Paisley Arts Centre? Please email kenneth. speirs@trinitymirror.com