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Showboat: Get on board with Scottish Opera

The Murray McDavid boat in front of Riverside Museum Glasgow
The Murray McDavid boat in front of Riverside Museum Glasgow

SCOTTISH OPERA are taking their Pop-Up shows back on the road this summer, and this year the extravaganza will include Scotland’s first floating opera house. Audiences can take in condensed performances on the River Clyde on the converted pilot cutter Murray McDavid.

Nautical Pop-Up audiences can catch two 25-minute shows this year; A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea, which is for children aged four to seven. Each bite-sized production is brought to life by a narrator, singers, musicians and a series of colourful illustrations.

As well as the nautical option, audiences can also catch shows in Scottish Opera’s fully accessible travelling opera house (below) – a specially adapted trailer designed to look like a miniature Theatre Royal Glasgow. Here audiences can enjoy A Little Bit of La bohème, A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea,

Scottish Opera's Pop-up Opera trailer (Sally Jubb)
Scottish Opera’s Pop-up Opera trailer (Sally Jubb)

Parts of the Pop-Up Tour have been designed with kids in mind. The public performances of  A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea on the Murray McDavid will be complemented with special shows for schools in marinas down the Clyde.

Allan Dunn in A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance. Scottish Opera's Pop-up Opera 2017. (James Glossop)
Allan Dunn in A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance. Scottish Opera’s Pop-up Opera 2017. (James Glossop)

The Sunday post chatted to narrator Allan Dunn about Scottish’s Opera’s summer pop-up programme.

Allan will be narrating both the condensed operas in the boat and in the trailer, and he also takes part in the Dementia-friendly shows Scottish Opera provide.

Alan said: “The shows are designed to take opera out into the community so audiences can experience operatic voices in a child-friendly way.”

“The shows are always good fun to do, it’s great seeing the kid’s wee faces. They get all excited when they’re putting their life-jackets on.”

Children enjoying A Little Bit of Bubble McBea. Scottish Opera's Pop-up Opera 2017 (James Glossop)
Children enjoying A Little Bit of Bubble McBea. Scottish Opera’s Pop-up Opera 2017 (James Glossop)

Allan also told us about how his role as narrator works when he’s working on a Dementia-friendly production.

He said: “Opera can be complicated so I’m there to help make it more accessible.”

“The dementia-friendly shows are very relaxed – the front of house staff are trained to work in a very gentle manner.”

“During the shows the house lights aren’t brought down and there’s no flashing lights or smoke.”

“Operas can be very confusing – I’ll tell them what they’re going to see, and then along the way they’ll be reminded – characters names and storylines will be reinforced with frequent recaps.”

“The feedback has been absolutely fantastic, especially from people who work with people with dementia.”

Jessica Leary and Allan Dunn in A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance. Scottish Opera's Pop-up Opera 2017. (James Glossop)
Jessica Leary and Allan Dunn in A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance. Scottish Opera’s Pop-up Opera 2017. (James Glossop)

From 26 May to 1 July 2017, the Pop-up Opera tour will visit Perth Arts Festival, Mount Stuart Isle of Bute, Prestwick, Girvan, Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, Port Bannatyne Marina, Portavadie Marina, Troon Yacht Haven, Clyde Marina Ardrossan, Largs Yacht Haven, Theatre Modo Peterhead, Pollok House Glasgow, Haddington Show and on board The Tall Ship, Glasgow. There are also schools performances in Glasgow, Rhu, Greenock, Troon, Ardrossan, Perth, Rothesay and Peterhead.

Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson, 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.’

Pop-up Opera 2017 is supported by Scottish Opera’s Education Angels and Murray McDavid Scotch Whisky.

www.scottishopera.org.uk