PACE Theatre Company
PACE Theatre Company is a registered charity and non-profit making theatre company based in Paisley, Scotland. Formed in 1988 by David Wallace,[1] PACE has four main components: a professional theatre production and Theatre-in-education (TIE) company; PACE Youth Theatre, PACE Casting, a casting agency which represents Youth Theatre members; and PACE Media Productions, a media production company specialising in educational and dramatic video productions. In September 2017, Wallace was sacked from the company after a financial investigation. His wife Mhairi Wallace was suspended on full pay. On the 23rd of February 2018 Jenni Mason was appointed to Artistic Director with Grant Mason as Chief Executive. On the 8th of August 2018 PACE changed their Branding followed by a total Revamp of their Youth Theatre classes.[2][3] Various famous entertainers attended PACE as children, including Richard Madden, Paolo Nutini, James McAvoy, James McArdle, David Sneddon and more.
Pantomime
PACE Theatre Company has produced the pantomime at Paisley Arts Centre since 1988.[4] The panto is written and directed by David Wallace, who also costars in it with Alan Orr. As of 2016, Alan Orr and David Wallace left The Annual pantomime after 29 years. The older Members of PACE Youth theatre continue to Play the part of the Chorus. In 2018 Pace is producing their Version of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’.
PACE Youth Theatre
PACE Youth Theatre is one part of PACE Theatre Company, and has been running since 1988. It was founded by David Wallace. It is currently based in Spires Drama Studios, Paisley. It was previously known as Paisley Youth Theatre when based in Paisley Arts Centre. Currently PACE has just under 3000 members.
Fest!
Fest! is PACE’s school holiday performing arts festivals for young people.
Sma Shot
Every year PACE perform a show based on the Political battle between the weavers of Paisley and their employers, the manufacturers, in the 19th Century. The show is performed by the older members of PACE youth theatre.
Notable former students
- Kevin Guthrie, actor[5]
- Shauna Macdonald, actress[6]
- Richard Madden, actor[7]
- James McArdle, actor[8]
- James McAvoy, actor[9]
- Paolo Nutini, musician[10]
- Mark Rowley, actor[11][12]
- David Sneddon, singer-songwriter[13]
References
- Mary Brennan (23 November 2012). "Homegrown hero". Herald Scotland. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- "Acting coach who helped launch the careers of James McAvoy and Paolo Nutini is sacked after finance probe at theatre school". Scottish Daily Record. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- "STATEMENT". PACE Theatre Company. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
- Gavin McInally; Chris Taylor (20 January 2016). "PACE Theatre Co: Paisley panto king David's record dame performance". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- Christie, Janet (6 May 2017). "Interview: Kevin Guthrie - The Scotsman". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- "Shauna Macdonald: from Spooks to Star Wars and her new role as 'an Irn-Bru Goth'". Herald Scotland. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- https://fastandprettysearch.com/?q=james%20mcardle%20pace&s=0&sub=1228
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "River City star Mark Rowley has his say on the soap's harrowing rape storyline". dailyrecord.co.uk. 8 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- "An interview with actor Mark Rowley". macbeththefilm.co.uk. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)