AN exciting programme of arts, theatre and music events sees the first live in-person shows being staged by OneRen in the past two years.

Watch This sPACe is a series of shows in various venues across Renfrewshire in place of the usual arts hub of Paisley Arts Centre, which is currently closed for refurbishment as part of Renfrewshire Council’s cultural capital infrastructure programme.

OneRen – the local charitable trust providing culture, leisure and sporting opportunities to help people enjoy active and healthy lives – is promoting the events that run from March to July.

The theatre programme includes Company of Wolves’ spectacular physical take on Shakespeare’s classic Julius Caesar, at Renfrew Town Hall and Vanishing Point’s The Metamorphosis Unplugged, a theatre show with live music, based on Franz Kafka’s brilliantly funny and compelling story. 

The Gazette: Roddy WoombleRoddy Woomble

Folk music also takes centre stage at Renfrew Town Hall with founding member of Battlefield Band Alan Reid’s solo concert, as well as edgy new duo, Mama’s Broke, who visit as part of their international tour. 

The music continues at The Bungalow, in Paisley, with a performance by Roddy Woomble, frontman of Scottish band, Idlewild and look out for an announcement about a special event in partnership with the SAMA’s (Scottish Alternative Music Awards).

There is also an in-person workshop for local theatre and performance artists (Green Room Sessions) and likewise the Visual Arts Meet-Up.  Both are part of the creative networks run by OneRen Arts Project Producers, providing opportunities for practitioners to collaborate and create.

Watch This sPACe is part of Future Paisley – the radical and wide-ranging programme of economic, social and physical regeneration using Paisley’s unique and internationally-significant cultural and heritage story to transform its future.

The Gazette: Vanishing PointVanishing Point

More shows and events are still to be announced and tickets can be booked by going to www.oneren.org/culture/arts.

Janis Marshall Reilly, performance programmer at OneRen, said: “It’s great to be back with live, in-person performances. 

“It’s uplifting and liberating to welcome artists and audiences safely back to venues after almost two years of the Covid-19 restrictions being in place.

“We’ve lined up an eclectic mix of shows and events, with something for everyone to enjoy – and, with our beloved Paisley Arts Centre and Town Hall closed for refurbishment, it’s a great opportunity to work in some of the other superb spaces across Renfrewshire.”