A YEAR-LONG artistic residence and engagement project has begun in Paisley inspired by The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The National Theatre of Scotland has partnered with OneRen to create the residency in collaboration with Scottish artists Cora Bissett and Bex Anson for a project inspired by the legendary 1900 novel written by L. Frank Baum. 

OZ! - A Yellow Brick Road Adventure, which is also supported by Future Paisley, will end in a bold and interactive performance on the streets of Paisley in June next year with more than 200 local participants and professional actors and artists involved in the unique event.

Glasgow Times:

Set in a parallel Paisley sometime in the near future, the wonderful world of Oz and the Emerald City will be transported to Paisley Town Centre and the spectacular show will feature a brand new script and original songs created with the people of Paisley under the leadership of Cora Bissett and Bex Anson.

Over the next twelve months, Cora and Bex will lead a team of artists to deliver a significant community engagement programme working alongside local community groups in Paisley including Kibble, The STAR Project – Paisley Men’s Shed, PACE Theatre Company and Art Boss - YOProducers. 

Glasgow Times:

Co-creative lead artists Cora and Bex said: "We met as working mums madly trying to entertain our young kids in Queens Park during lockdown and decided to combine forces to take on this massive and exciting challenge of creating a new large-scale work with the people of Paisley.

"We are already bowled over by the amount of talent, ingenuity and passion of the people of Paisley and by the town’s rich history and quirky buildings.

"We are looking forward to bedding ourselves into Paisley over this next year and dreaming up a contemporary, fantastical reimagining of this timeless classic which everybody knows and loves."

Online bookings for all workshops open from July 2 and you can find out more HERE.