The one-offs and operas not by the main companies thread.

Saw an ad by chance and popped over to Paisley (just outside Glasgow) for Paisley Opera's version of Gounod's Faust,now subtitled "The Devil Went Down To Paisley". Staged appropriately in the Methodist hall, it is reset into the near future with the three largest roles played by professionals with amateurs taking up minor rolls and chorus. Particular praise to the amateur who sung Valentin, holding his own against the pros. The show is sung in English/Scots/Paisley dialect "I cannae wait for this sh*te to be over". The Scottish Opera orchestra play the score, so you do really get your moneys worth (£25 a ticket). The scene in the pub had wonderful energy, as with such a large and diverse chorus it felt more "realistic" than I've found in similar scenes by professional companies. The whole thing uses the space well, with cast entering on different levels, tables and chairs put about for the pub, and offstage singing performered in the stairwells behind the seating bank so you were surrounded by the sound. It even had projected surtitles. And all done in time to catch the last train back to Glasgow.


I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the companies future work. They are only doing two performances, with the other on the 9yh so if you are about do go along. Five stars.