A theatre producer who discovered hidden gems of Paisley during lockdown walks is asking for Buddies’ help to uncover even more.
Jordan Blackwood has launched Secret Paisley which was inspired by discovering what’s on his doorstep.
He’s asking folk to share stories, photographs and memories of their secret spots in the town which he’ll use to put together an outdoor performance early in the new year.
He said: “I remember in lockdown how crazy it was when we were only allowed outside once a day and we couldn’t travel anywhere.
“There’s so much more on your doorstep that you never knew about.
“Before all this if I wanted to go for a walk, I would have jumped in the car and driven somewhere.
“Me and my fiancée discovered so many places in Paisley, like Browns Lane with its murals and cobbles.
“ It’s only two minutes from my house but I’d never been there till a few months ago.
“This came from taking that idea and seeing how we could develop it.”
Jordan grew up in Johnstone and went to the PACE group in the town where he said he got his spark for the theatre.
He moved to London to study and work but moved back to Paisley in 2017.
He’s worked all over Scotland and received funding from Renfrewshire Leisure and Future Paisley for the Secret Paisley project.
Jordan said in the next few weeks they’ll start to put up posters around the town and hope to have post boxes in libraries to encourage people to tell their stories who don’t have access to the internet.
When he starts to collate people’s stories and photographs, he and his team will look at putting together a live performance.
He’s working with writer Daniel Cameron and is keen that any performance which emerges from the stories is accessible for all.
“I’m a theatre producer but I’m conscious that theatre should be made for all people to engage with,” he said.
“It shouldn’t just be for people who like the theatre.
“This will be very small scale with, and by and inspired by the people who’ll see it.
“It’s called secret theatre and as the name suggests, the idea of secret theatre is that nobody knows it’s going to happen - with the exception of a small few in our case.
“To maintain social distancing and avoid crowds gathering, we’ll invite a small number of audience members to meet us at a time and place only known to them.
“The performance will take place outdoors, with passers-by free to watch from a distance.”
He added: “I’ve been really lucky to be honest to get funding for something like this.
“It’s good to be back out and getting stuff going again so fingers crossed it all works out.”
To submit your stories or find out more about the project, go to www.jordanblackwood.co.uk/secretpaisley
