PACE https://www.pacetheatre.com Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:58:53 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.pacetheatre.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cropped-PACE-BW-2-32x32.png PACE https://www.pacetheatre.com 32 32 CHARITY PLACES 1000th DEFIBRILLATOR WITH PACE THEATRE COMPANY https://www.pacetheatre.com/2024/charity-places-1000th-defibrillator-with-pace-theatre-company/ Mon, 12 Feb 2024 13:37:35 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=320950 Read more]]>

Scottish Medical Charity Lucky2BHere placed their 1000th Public Access Defibrillator at PACE’s pop-up space in Paisley at the weekend.

The Charity was founded by Ross Cowie in 2009 who suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved thanks to the quick response of a nearby ambulance crew. The Charity has trained tens of thousands of people in Emergency Life Support and visits Primary and Secondary school pupils across the country to teach the importance of defibrillators and good quality CPR. The Charity has reached an amazing milestone from setting out to install one defibrillator in Ross’s hometown of Portree on the Isle of Skye, to now being the biggest provider of community defibrillators in the country, with voluntary training teams in place from Shetland down to the Borders. The 1000th defibrillator was placed at PACE this weekend and was funded by police officer Kyle Reid who was impacted by a cardiac arrest he was involved with whilst on duty.

Kyle said: “In April last year (2023), I was involved in an incident at work, during which a male suffered a cardiac arrest.  At the time I was lucky to be able to source a defib which saved the man’s life. After the event I felt I had to do something. I decided I would mix my love of golf, with my passion for fundraising and I managed to raise over £3,000 which I donated to Lucky2BHere who provided us with the life-saving equipment. I have family connections with PACE, including my wife who for many years attended the group. I am delighted the Defib is staying in Paisley.”

Team leader of the Glasgow training team Michelle Carr who got involved following another cardiac arrest experience said; “We are lucky to be a small part of this – what a fantastic achievement!’ Michelle and her team led the training this weekend at PACE.”

Charity founder Ross said: “We set out to get one defib so to reach 1000 is crazy. Many lives have been saved and hopefully many more will be. My heartfelt thanks go to all the amazing people who have contributed on the journey.”

Colleen Lupton, Operations Manager for PACE said: “We were delighted to be chosen as recipients for this defibrillator, thanks to Lucky2BeHere, who do inspiring work in communities.

 

“We work with large numbers of young people and their families every week in our venue, as well as welcoming audiences into our theatre regularly, and the safety of anyone who uses our building is absolutely paramount to us. Thanks to our position in a shopping centre, it will also be easily accessible for anyone using the Paisley Centre who is in need.

“Our staff are first aid trained and qualified, but we know that in an emergency situation being able to quickly access this equipment could prove critical.  We’re incredibly grateful to Kyle, and others like him, for his incredible fundraising efforts, which mean we now have access to this life-saving equipment.” 

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LGBT Charter – Call-out for Young Champions https://www.pacetheatre.com/2024/lgbt-charter-call-out-for-young-champions/ Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:56:29 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=318742 Read more]]> Information Session
Fri 26 Jan – 5pm-6.30pm
Spires Drama Studios

PACE is about to start working with LGBT Youth Scotland to achieve their LGBT Charter (Silver) accreditation. It’s really important that we consult with our members as part of this process and for that we are looking for a volunteer group of Young Champions.

Join our information session, to find out more about the charter, and how you can be involved: 

  • Are you interested in activism? Do you want to help create positive change for other young people?
  • Do you want to help make PACE a more LGBT+ friendly space for young people?
  • Would you enjoy helping to plan events that raise awareness or celebrate key dates in the LGBT+ calendar?
  • Would you enjoy helping to promote events and engaging other young people?
  • Could you help design a campaign that raises awareness and challenges discrimination of LGBT+ issues?

If any of these things are of interest, then please come along to the info session and find out more from the PACE team! 

This opportunity is currently open to members from S3+ as there will be some degree of independent work involved, but we hope to create opportunities for younger members to get involved in other ways.

Please note – you do not need to commit a regular amount of time to be a young champion. You can be involved in way that works with all your other commitments. You do not need to be part of the LGBT+ community to be a young champion. The group is open to anyone who is passionate about creating positive change and making our youth theatre as inclusive as it can be.

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Board Member Opportunity https://www.pacetheatre.com/2023/board-member-opportunity/ Mon, 20 Nov 2023 12:58:34 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=316090 Read more]]>

PACE Theatre Company is seeking Trustees to strengthen our existing board. If you have a passion for creating opportunities to develop and nurture creativity in young people then we would love to hear from you.

ABOUT PACE

PACE Theatre Company, based in Paisley, was founded in 1988 and is a non-profit making theatre company and registered charity specialising in work with young people. It focuses on developing and nurturing young creative talent through performing arts experiences. It runs PACE Youth Theatre, the largest youth theatre in the UK with over 1,000 young people attending each week, and produces Paisley’s annual pantomime along with other professional theatre and touring productions. It offers rehearsal facilities, equipment and facilities for hire at Spires Studios, as well as operating a pop-up performance and workshop space in The Art Department in The Paisley Centre. 

PACE is also leading on the re-development of Exchange, Scotland’s first theatre for children, young people and families, in a disused town centre building. Work on Phase II of this redevelopment is currently underway.

Our aim is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment in which young people can thrive.

Find out more about our work at www.pacetheatre.com

THE ROLE

We are seeking to expand our board, to support and realise the strategic vision of the organisation.

Our new trustees should have an interest in arts / culture and be passionate about participatory and socially-engaged work. You do not need to have had previous experience on a Board.

We are especially, but not exclusively, interested in people who bring knowledge of one or more of the following areas:

Fundraising inc. corporate, individual giving, trusts & foundations
Organisational & Business Development
Theatre Industry
Working with Children & Young People
Education
Equalities / Access

We actively encourage applications from a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you do not fit exactly into one of the criteria above but feel that you have something to offer PACE and would like to join our board or support us in another way, we’d still love to hear from you.

TIME COMMITMENT

The board meets a minimum of 4 times per year, in addition to an AGM. Meetings are usually held at our main offices in Paisley, Spires Studios, although there is some flexibility for hybrid/online attendance. Board members may also be expected to give extra time in support of the organisation’s activities, by participating in sub-committees / undertaking research etc, and attendance at our events, performances and projects is encouraged.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid position.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a CV and covering letter to grant@pacetheatre.co.uk.  Please outline your relevant skills and experience, and why you would like to be considered for the role of Trustee.  If you would prefer to submit this as a 2-3 minute video message we would be pleased to accept applications in this format.

If you have any access or support requirements for interview please let us know so we can try to accommodate this.

The deadline for applications is 7 Jan 2024.

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Tiny Tots Baby Event https://www.pacetheatre.com/2023/tiny-tots-baby-event/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 15:13:07 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=313099 Read more]]>

Come to our Tiny Tots Baby Event

It’s never too early to introduce your little one to the magic of PACE! 

We love welcoming all the little tots into our building while dropping off older siblings, we think it is time to officially launch our baby classes and extend our creative community to children age 0-3. We would like to offer you a free tester session to come and see what our classes are all about. 

Thursday 28th September
Tiny Tots  (ages 0-1) – 10am -11am (sold out – waiting list)
Tiny Tots Parachute Adventure (ages 1-3) – 12pm-1pm (sold out – waiting list)
JUST ADDED 
Tiny Tots Parachute Adventure (ages 1-3) – 1pm-2pm BOOK HERE

This free taster workshop will provide a unique opportunity for creative play for you and your child; our experienced artist team will create fun, energetic, playful experiences for you to enjoy together. 

Our sessions are carefully designed to help develop your little one’s confidence and social skills, and to provide an introduction into the world of the arts and all it’s benefits. Join us and we will help introduce your child to creativity at an early age with a programme of storytelling, movement, songs, actions, sensory development, imaginative play and more. 

A hot drink and biscuit will be on offer at the end of the session, we know how important that is!

There is foam flooring in the space where the session will be held but feel free to bring a blanket for babies to lie on to make it extra comfortable. Changing facilities are available in the building and a changing mat provided in the room.

To find out more about our classes and book for the next block click HERE

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Beauty and the Beast – Panto 2023 https://www.pacetheatre.com/2023/beautyandthebeast/ Fri, 25 Aug 2023 11:27:51 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=311159 Read more]]>

This Christmas, PACE Theatre Company is delighted to announce the return of its annual pantomime with festive favourite Beauty and the Beast

A seasonal treat for adults and children alike, this retelling of the classic tale will run from Thursday 30 November to Sunday 31 December in an exciting new pop-up theatre in a transformed former department store in the centre of Paisley.

With the traditional home of PACE’s annual panto, the Paisley Art Centre, under refurbishment this year’s family panto will take place in The Art Department, in The Paisley Centre (formerly Allders Store/Co-op). Panto will be performed in a fully equipped, pop-up theatre on the third floor, which will be transformed to create a unique and immersive experience from beginning to end.       

Heading up a stellar ensemble cast as comedy duo Betty Bouquet and Arty Fartypants are CHRIS ALEXANDER and ALAN ORR.  Chris Alexander (Smile, Dundee Rep;  Martha and White, Catherine Wheels) has been donning high heels as dame since his first appearance with PACE in 2017, and Alan Orr (A New Life and Opening Time, Oran Mor, The Dolls Abroad and The Dolls Dragged Up, Scottish tour) has turned in comic performances both in Paisley and Dunfermline which have made him a favourite with panto audiences for many years.

Also appearing in this year’s professional cast are DANI HERON as Mayoress/Witch and in the eponymous roles; TOMMY MCGOWAN as the Beast and KATIE WEIR as Bonnie.  

PACE is pleased to welcome back ANDY MCGREGOR as writer and director for this year’s production; Andy is a playwright, director and composer who is particularly known for his work for family audiences, as well as recent hit productions Crocodile Rock and A New Life (Oran Mor and tour) and Spuds (in association with Beacon Arts Centre). He has previously written several pantos for PACE including The Snow Queen, Lost in Pantoland and 2022’s Cinderella

Regular collaborator FRASER LAPPIN, whose previous designs for PACE include Cinderella, The Snow Queen and Jack in the Beanstalk, will bring his inimitable flair to the set and costume design. Fraser’s other recent credits include Designer for The Girls of Cartridge Hut No7 (Outspoken Arts), Crisis: A Rallying Cry (Kick the Door), Associate Designer for Small Town Boys (Shaper/Caper) and Art Director for Nature+ Newsroom and Nature Zone (COP26).

The cast will be completed by 4 teams of young actors, handpicked from PACE’s core youth theatre groups, enhancing the production with their boundless energy.

Jenni Mason, Artistic Director said,
We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s panto will be Beauty and the Beast, which you can be sure will be jam-packed with laughs, music and dancing.  We believe panto offers an entertaining and affordable way for families and friends to celebrate the festivities together, with something for everyone to enjoy.

“We’re delighted to be returning to our pop-up space in The Art Department this Christmas, after the success of last year’s production of Cinderella, and are pulling out all the stops to create a fantastic experience for audiences from start to finish.“

With a reputation for producing some of the best family pantomimes in Scotland, regularly playing to audiences of more than 10,000 during the festive season, PACE promises a show you will never forget. 

ENDS

For interviews, photographs or review tickets contact Cat Reilly, Marketing Manager:
0345 130 5218 / catreilly@pacetheatre.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Tickets will go on sale on the following dates: 
Group Bookings (15+) – Tue 29 Aug, 10am on 0345 130 5218
General Bookings – Wed 30 Aug, 10am www.pacetheatre.com/boxoffice
2. Press are invited to review from Fri 1 December, 7pm.
3. Beauty and the Beast will be PACE’s 33nd annual pantomime.
4. The Art Department is a new, large-scale, pop-up exhibition venue in The Paisley Centre, operated by Outspoken Arts. Occupying the site of the former Allders Department Store (formerly owned by the Co-op plc) and now owned by Beyond Retail. This exciting new space will feature an art shop, a creative learning space, two floors of exhibition space some 1,118sqm and 1,434sqm respectively, and a third-floor 2,284sqm drama rehearsal & flexible performance space.

LISTINGS INFORMATION

PACE Theatre Company presents
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Thu 30 November – Sun 31 December 2023
(not Mondays)

A family pantomime for all ages!

General Booking: https://www.pacetheatre.com/boxoffice/
Group Booking
: 0345 130 5218 
                                   
PRICING
Tickets from £12 – £29.00 (booking fee applies)
Schools and Group bookings – 10% off group bookings of 15 or over (excludes Gala Performance Fri 1 Dec) 

CREATIVE TEAM
Andy McGregor          Writer & Director
Alan Orr                      Producer & Original Music
Pauline Ramsay         Production Manager
Angela Orr                  Ensemble Director & Choreography
Fraser Lappin              Set & Costume Designer
Grant Mason               Executive Producer

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WORK BEGINS ON NEW PHASE OF EXCHANGE THEATRE IN PAISLEY https://www.pacetheatre.com/2023/work-begins-on-new-phase-of-exchange-theatre-in-paisley/ Tue, 16 May 2023 15:25:09 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=304002 Read more]]>

Work on the next phase in the development of Exchange, Scotland’s first theatre for children, young people and families, commences this week in Paisley.  

Contractors Elmwood Projects have been appointed to deliver the next phase of development of the site, a vacant former nightclub opposite Paisley Gilmour Street Station.  This phase will begin the major internal works programme required to create a 80-100 seat flexible studio theatre and a family friendly performance café/bar. 

Ongoing phases will see the realisation of a 300-seat main theatre plus other community and creative spaces. Once complete, Exchange will host in-house and touring theatre productions, and offer a wide programme of creative learning opportunities, as well as offering an mid-scale venue for Renfrewshire’s thriving cultural community. 

The project received £1.084m from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF).  Other investment totalling upwards of £500k has come from trusts including The Garfield Weston Foundation, one of the UK’s major supporters of the arts, the Clothworkers Foundation and The Robert Barr Charitable Trust, as well as crucial support from Renfrewshire Council. 

Grant Mason, Chief Executive, PACE Theatre said:  
This is a major step forward for the project; works completed so far have been largely focused on roof and rot repairs, so it will be exciting to see the internal features turning from a plan on piece of paper to a reality.  

“We are extremely grateful to the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund for their investment in this project, which we believe will be transformative for young people, the local community, and for the regeneration of Paisley. 

“The support of Renfrewshire Council throughout this process has been invaluable, with their vision for Exchange’s potential to create a vibrant cultural attraction and community hub for Paisley mirroring our own.” 

Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson said:  
We are delighted to see the next phase of work get under way on PACE’s Exchange Theatre project, which will breathe new life into a prominent site in Paisley town centre. 

“Renfrewshire has a thriving cultural scene, which PACE have been at the heart of for decades – Exchange will be a new modern facility that will encourage access and participation in the arts for current and future generations of young people, while also hosting performances and other activity that will drive new footfall into the town centre and local economy.

“The Exchange project perfectly complements our own investment in Renfrewshire’s historic cultural venues, with the transformation of Paisley Town Hall and the work to build a new library on the High Street both nearly finished, and with Paisley Museum set to reopen next year once its transformation into a word-class visitor destination is complete.” 

It is expected that the current phase will be complete later this year, but PACE are appealing to businesses and individuals to support the project by donating to their Million Pound Wall campaign, or offering in-kind support, to reach the fundraising total required to help complete the project in an increasingly challenging financial climate.  

ENDS 

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Welcome to The Enchanted Forest! https://www.pacetheatre.com/2022/elementor-293738/ Wed, 21 Dec 2022 12:18:25 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=293738 Read more]]>

The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed our Enchanted Forest exhibition taking shape in The Art Department over the last few weeks. 

An interactive experience, created in partnership with Soundplay Projects and featuring their Soundplay Dome. The dome is an installation that allows you to experiment and have fun with music, light and sound; placed at the heart of a magical immersive space where children can play, create stories, explore and expand their imaginations. 

We’ll be launching an exciting programme of drama, music and visual arts workshops in January but in the meantime panto audiences can get a sneak preview of what’s in store as we open it one hour before performances during December.  

This project is supported by Renfrewshire Council’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund.  

 

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CINDERELLA 2022 https://www.pacetheatre.com/2022/cinderella-2022/ Wed, 10 Aug 2022 16:58:40 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=286022 Read more]]>

This Christmas, PACE Theatre Company is delighted to announce the return of its annual pantomime with festive favourite Cinderella.  A seasonal treat for adults and children alike, this retelling of the classic tale will run from 7 to 31 December in an exciting new pop-up theatre in a transformed former department store in the centre of Paisley.  

With the traditional home of PACE’s annual panto, Paisley Art Centre, currently under refurbishment this year’s family panto will take place in The Art Department, a large scale exhibition space run by Outspoken Arts in The Paisley Centre (formerly Allders Store/Co-op).  Panto will be performed in a fully-equipped, pop-up theatre on the third floor, which will be transformed to create a unique and immersive experience from beginning to end.         

Heading up a stellar ensemble cast as the Ugly Sisters are CHRIS ALEXANDER (Smile, Dundee Rep;  Martha and White, Catherine Wheels) who has been donning high heels as dame since his first appearance with PACE in 2017, and panto favourite, ALAN ORR (A New Life and Opening Time, A Play, a Pie and a Pint, The Dolls Abroad and The Dolls: Dragged Up, Scottish tour), whose comic performances have made him a favourite with panto audiences for many years.

PACE is pleased to welcome back ANDY MCGREGOR as writer; Andy is a playwright, director and composer who is particularly known for his work for family audiences, as well as recent hit productions Crocodile Rock and A New Life (A Play, a Pie and a Pint and tour) and Spuds (in association with Beacon Arts Centre). He has previously written two pantos for PACE – The Snow Queen and Lost in Pantoland.

Cinderella will be directed by DANIEL CAMERON; Daniel is a director, playwright and BAFTA Scotland award-winning actor, who is an alumnus of PACE. He trained as an actor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where he played the Dame in Beauty and The Beast (2012) and is a regular lecturer at the RCS on the BA Musical Theatre programme.

Regular collaborator FRASER LAPPIN, whose previous designs for PACE include Lost in Pantoland, The Snow Queen and Jack in the Beanstalk, will bring his inimitable flair to the set and costume design. Fraser’s other recent credits include Designer for The Girls of Cartridge Hut No7 (Outspoken Arts), and Art Director for Nature+ Newsroom and Nature Zone (COP26).

The remaining professional cast will be announced shortly, and they will be supported by over 100 young actors in four teams, handpicked from PACE’s core youth theatre groups, enhancing the production with their boundless energy.

Jenni Mason, Artistic Director said, “We’re thrilled to be bringing panto back to Paisley after a hiatus, as we know that the PACE panto is something of an institution for Renfrewshire audiences at Christmas. It’s especially exciting to be further developing our pop-up space, which we piloted during our summer activities, and we can’t wait to explore the opportunities that creating a panto in a non-traditional venue presents. We’re pulling out all the stops this Christmas and are confident that there will be something for everyone to enjoy!”

With a reputation for producing some of the best family pantomimes in Scotland, regularly playing to audiences of more than 10,000 during the festive season, PACE promises a show you will never forget.   

Tickets will go on sale on the following dates:
Group Bookings – Thu 25 Aug, 10am
General Bookings – Mon 29 Aug, 10am  

PACE Theatre Company presents
CINDERELLA

Written by Andy McGregor
Directed by Daniel Cameron
Original Music by Alan Orr
Wed 7 – Sat 31 December 2022 (not Mondays)
A family pantomime for all ages!
Tickets from £11 – £28.00 (booking fee applies)
Schools and Group bookings – 10% off group bookings of 15 or over (excludes Gala Performance)    

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Exciting new pop-up venue https://www.pacetheatre.com/2022/exciting-new-pop-up-venue/ Wed, 25 May 2022 14:59:55 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=275375 Read more]]> We’re excited to confirm that we’re creating a pop-up performance and workshop space in The Art Department in The Paisley Centre – the former Alders Store/Co-op. Working with Outspoken Arts as part of their large-scale, pop-up exhibition venue, the blank canvas of 2300 sq ft. retail space offers the opportunity to create an inspiring and unique space in an easy-to-reach location. If you’ve passed by this week, you may have noticed activity inside as the transformation begins! Initially, we’ll be using the space as a base for some of our summer activity, Fest, but we are really excited by the potential for other projects. Watch this space!

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Awards for Exchange from Two Major Funders https://www.pacetheatre.com/2022/awards-for-exchange-from-two-major-funders/ Fri, 20 May 2022 16:11:49 +0000 https://www.pacetheatre.com/?p=275073 Read more]]>
Exchange Theatre has received a major boost to its capital campaign this week, with the confirmation of two significant awards from charitable foundations.

We are delighted to acknowledge grants totalling £250,000 from trusts including The Garfield Weston Foundation, one of the UK’s major supporters of the arts, and The Robert Barr Charitable Foundation.

The redevelopment of the vacant former nightclub as a much-needed mid-sized venue for Renfrewshire, which will establish it across Scotland as a destination for children and young people’s theatre, is being spearheaded by PACE Theatre Company alongside their existing operations.

Once complete, it will host in-house and touring theatre productions, and offer a wide programme of creative learning opportunities, as well as offering an alternative venue to Renfrewshire’s thriving cultural community.

PACE Chief Executive Grant Mason said: “We are extremely grateful for these generous awards from the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Robert Barr Charitable Foundation in support of our vision to provide life-changing opportunities for young people and the local community.  

“These grants are a major boost to our plans for Exchange, which we believe has the potential to create a vibrant cultural landmark and community hub for Paisley.” 

As well as the main theatre, Exchange will also host a small-scale 80-100-seat flexible studio theatre and creative learning space, plus a community creative play and workshop space. There will also be a family-friendly café/bar with informal performance area, dressing rooms, reading snug, and exhibition space for young visual artists.

The space will be fully accessible, autism-friendly, and co-designed and developed at every stage with a group of ‘Young Architects’.

Sustainability is a key priority for the project, designed with the aim of creating a green, carbon neutral, theatre for the future that’s financially and environmentally sustainable with 100% LED theatre fixtures.

It is expected Phase II will be complete by December 2022, but PACE are calling on businesses and individuals to support the project by donating to their Million Pound Wall campaign, to reach the fundraising total required to complete the third and final phase of work. 

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