Cowboys, coyotes and cattle rustlers descend on Johnstone Town Hall for world premiere

Cowboys, coyotes and cattle rustlers descend on Johnstone Town Hall for world premiere

The audience at the world premiere of a dance performance will be transported to the American Wild West – but they won’t have to leave their seats in the auditorium of Johnstone Town Hall.

The dance spectacular, Common Is As Common Does - A Memoir is being staged at the venue on Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1 and promises to be a fantastic night out.

The theme of the show – created by award-winning dance collaborative, 21Common – is how poverty contributes to violence and is set in the land of cowboys, coyotes and cattle rustlers.

Audiences will enjoy performances from Gavin Mitchell, whose previous roles include Bobby the Barman in Still Game, alongside acting talent including Minnie Crook, Dan Brown and Neshla Caplan.

The show is a co-commission with OneRen, funded by Creative Scotland and Future Paisley/Renfrewshire Council – a cultural regeneration, partnership programme, which uses the power of arts, heritage and culture to impact social and economic change.

Common Is As Common Does – A Memoir is described as a: “Deep and dirty dive into a family circle that more often resembles a ring of fire.

“Partly set in a saloon with crooner country classics, a speakeasy featuring brush/scuffing danceathons and a bare knuckle boxing ring.

“The audience will join the cast in their Wild West sitting room with the ones who spit and the ones born to fight.”

The production company, 21Common create dance that challenges the accepted and expected, led by artistic directors, Lucy Gaizely and Gary Gardiner, Scotland’s leading learning-disabled dancer Ian Johnston and executive producer, Louise Irwin.

Louise Martin, Arts Producer at OneRen, said: “This world premiere shows how artists are choosing to develop, produce and perform their shows in Renfrewshire before sharing them with the world.

“It’s the first time 21Common have performed in Renfrewshire and the audience will certainly enjoy being part of the show, as this is an accessible and immersive performance. It promises to be a brilliant night out.”

The age recommendation for this show is 14+ and tickets are available from the OneRen online box office - www.oneren.org/whats-on