Our friends at Paisley Opera have announced that their next production is Macbeth, which will be staged at Paisley Town Hall. The two performances of this new, specially commissioned translation of Verdi’s great work based on Shakespeare’s play, take place on 6 and 7 October, and mark the much-anticipated reopening to the public of this great venue after a refurbishment.
Alistair Digges conducts members of our Orchestra, and a cast that includes David Stephenson (Macbeth), who sang with us in La traviata and The Magic Flute, Phillippa Boyle (Lady Macbeth), Orlando Mason (Big Man), Thomas Kinch (MacDuff) who performed in our production of The Fiery Angel, Catriona Clark (Housekeeper), who was in Carmen and Suor Angelica earlier this year, and Matthew Kimble (Malcolm) who was a Carmen chorus member. It is directed by Paisley Opera’s founder, Simon Hannigan, who sings regularly in our productions, with Andrew Burnside (our Lighting Chargehand), as Lighting Designer.
This Macbeth brings Verdi’s work to the heart of the community, setting it in 1970s Paisley and including its landmarks, culture and language, with the translation by Lindsay Bramley laced with local dialect and references.
After encountering some persuasive local women who predict his rise to power, Macbeth is set on becoming the top dog in a prominent gang, and will do just about anything to get there. With his dangerously ambitious wife to spur him on, he murders the gang leader, Duncan, and eventually becomes consumed by power, and haunted by his own actions.
Paisley Opera chorus will be nearly 60 voices strong for this show, from those who have only ever sung in the shower, to seasoned singers ranging in age from those in their 20s to the over 60s, plus professional chorus leaders. They will be joined by the Paisley-based dance company Right2Dance.
You can book your tickets here: https://renfrewshireboxoffice.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173647671