Paisley Arts Centre played host to its first theatre show since reopening as audiences packed the auditorium to see the captivating When Mountains Meet.
The cross-cultural tale tells the true story of musician Anne Wood as she meets her father, family, and heritage for the first time.
Born to a Scottish mother and a Pakistani father, it wasn’t until her early twenties that Anne found the father she had never met and the show portrays the difficulties she faced being taboo in a culture she longed to be part of.
The immersive experience blends gig theatre with storytelling and striking visuals, as well as a fusion of Scottish and Pakistani music played on the electric harp, violin, tanpura drone and sitar, as the Scottish Highlands meet the Himalayas.
The cast dance their way through Scottish folktales, Urdu and Punjabi poetry, traditional ballads, and solo Gaelic singing as the similarities and differences in Scottish and Pakistani culture are highlighted in this heartwarming performance.
Anne Wood said: “I was incredibly excited to bring When Mountains Meet to Paisley as one of the first shows in the newly refurbished Paisley Arts Centre. It was an honour to bring our show to the town and celebrate with everyone.”
The Arts Centre has reopened with a preview programme following an extensive renovation that included new back-of-house and performance facilities, improved sound and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms for artists, and enhanced workshop space for rehearsals and other events.
The main auditorium has also been refurbished with new retractable seating to improve the audience experience, there is an expanded bar area for pre-and post-show drinks, a small extension has been added to the entrance, and the public space at the front of the building has been redesigned to add new paving and seating.
Victoria Hollows, Chief Executive of OneRen, said: “I’m delighted to see the Arts Centre open and thriving once again and this magnificent performance showed off our wonderful venue superbly.
“I look to more theatre shows, as well as music, comedy and community activity, taking place at the Arts Centre as it remains one of Scotland’s foremost small arts venues.”
Find out more information on forthcoming events at the Arts Centre at www.oneren.org/whats-on.