From Textile Mills to Opera Stages
The Ferguslie Park area of Paisley was historically home to workers in the textile mills. Following the closure of these industries, the area became associated with significant deprivation. However, opera was not something the community was known for—until recently.
Last year, Paisley Opera, which operates under the slogan "Passion not Posh," established itself at the Tannahill Centre in Ferguslie Park and issued an open call for new members. The group has since grown to approximately 60 members forming a community choir and is now preparing its most ambitious production to date: a reimagined version of Georges Bizet's Carmen. This adaptation relocates the story from 19th-century Seville to the thread mills of 1960s Paisley.
Joining the Chorus: A New Experience
When the open call was announced, Rashelle Reid was initially hesitant to join.
"I have to say my friend twisted my arm into trying it, because to me opera's a step too far,"
she told BBC Scotland News.
"I don't consider myself to be a decent singer in any way. However, when you sing with a group, magic happens."
This sense of communal transformation was exactly what professional singer Simon Hannigan envisioned when he and his wife Anne founded Paisley Opera in 2017.
"We wanted to present opera for what it is, not what people think it is,"
said Simon, 63, who has lived in Paisley since 2010.
The first meeting attracted 27 people.
"Most of them had not come from choral societies or choirs but just fancied giving opera singing a go,"
Simon recalled. Having worked professionally with Scottish Opera, he noted,
"A lot of them had been told at school you can't sing so stand in the back row. Most hadn't sung since school and virtually none of them read music."
Community Roots and Professional Support
The group’s productions receive support from the orchestra of Scottish Opera, Paisley-based Right2Dance, and professional soloists. This collaboration has enabled Paisley Opera to pursue increasingly ambitious projects, including infusing local elements into classic operas.
In their rendition of Carmen, the bullfighter hero, known for the iconic Toreador Song, is reimagined as a St Mirren football striker arriving amid a crowd of black and white track-suited supporters.
"What I was interested in doing was having a community company with roots in that community,"> Simon recalled.
He added,
"From the first full opera we did, the ideal was not just to get new people to sing but also to make the shows as accessible as possible.
One thing that helps with that is referencing local landmarks, St Mirren and things like that. It brings it alive to people - we want people coming up afterwards and saying they had no idea opera could be like this."
The Character of Carmen Reimagined
Despite the relocation and contextual changes, Carmen remains the fiery and strong-willed heroine of the original story, portrayed by professional singer Rosie Lavery.
"She's a very different gal in some ways and yet she's still that very strong female character,"
said Rosie, who grew up in Paisley.
"Carmen is set apart from a lot of female roles from the same time period.
Even though there's two men at the centre of the story, she is not defined by her relationship with men. She really marches to the beat of her own drum and follows her own rules."
As with all Paisley Opera productions, Carmen is performed in a Paisley-Scots dialect, made possible by a specially commissioned libretto by Lindsay Bramley.
Rosie, as Carmen, and Don Jose—renamed Joe and played by Xavier Hetherington—deliver their duets with lines such as "cause we're Paisley till we die."
A Homecoming for Rosie and Inspiration for Amateurs
Rosie described working with Paisley Opera as a homecoming experience and found singing alongside amateurs uplifting.
"It's inspiring to be alongside people who sing and it isn't their full time job.
There are people in the chorus who'd only ever sung at a football match or in church or in the shower but they love the music so much that they will work nine to five and then come here just because they enjoy it."
For the amateur chorus members, performing with professionals and the full orchestra of Scottish Opera is an exhilarating experience.
"It may seem like a cliché but it does feel like a family,"> Simon said.
He elaborated,
"There are people with all sorts of different issues in their lives who come here to sing together.
Tea break is an incredibly important part of the rehearsal and for some people it might be the only time in the week that they get out and talk to other people.
Singing together can be a very healing process."
Costumes and Community Spirit
Due to the scale of the production, costume design for soloists was handled by Kirstin Rodger, while chorus members were given the creative brief to design their own attire.
Chorus members Jeannette Cameron and Eileen McCarten appear with hair in curlers, dressed in mill workers' overalls and colorful headscarves.
"People can relate to it,"> Eileen said.
She continued,
"When people are prancing about singing in Italian in fancy costumes, they may think it's a bit posh, whereas with us it's definitely not posh."
"The idea that we're singing opera in Ferguslie Park is fabulous,"> Jeanette added.
"It is exactly what Paisley Opera is all about."
Community Impact and Upcoming Performances
Meanwhile, Rashelle is dressed as a security guard and preparing for the dress rehearsal. The Tannahill Centre fills with friends, family, infants, and curious onlookers. Two young boys on bikes attempt to ride indoors but are gently redirected outside, where they listen at the door. Passersby walking dogs pause to observe as the combined chorus and orchestra resonate throughout the estate.
Rashelle reflected on her experience:
"I grew up in Ferguslie Park and I would never have had access to something like this,"
she said.
"I think this is what Paisley is all about. It's a place that breaks barriers and pushes boundaries. I just feel so privileged and grateful to be part of it."
Carmen by Paisley Opera will be performed on the evening of 21 May and a matinee on 24 May.
