SCOTLAND’S first floating opera house is coming to Troon this summer.
Scottish Opera are bringing the converted pilot cutter Murray McDavid to Troon Yacht Haven for the ‘pop-up opera’ on June 23 at 1.30pm.

There will be performances of A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea aboard the pilot cutter. And there will also be a special performance for local schoolkids.

The boat tour is the company’s way of bringing opera to communities it has not previously visited - Ayrshire venues also include the marinas in Largs and Ardrossan.

Scottish Opera will also be bringing a bite-sized production on a specially-adapted trailer to Prestwick and Girvan.

Audiences at the trailer shows can catch three 25-minute shows this year; A Little Bit of La bohème, A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance and A Little Bit of Bubble McBea, which is for children aged four to seven.

Each bite-sized production is brought to life by a narrator, singers, musicians and a series of colourful illustrations.

One of Gilbert and Sullivan’s most popular comic operas, The Pirates of Penzance, has been trimmed down to create A Little Bit of Pirates of Penzance. Frederic has fallen for Mabel, but he is apprentice to a pirate king and his blundering band of rogues.

Frederic struggles to find a way to escape his ties and live happily ever after. A Little Bit of Bubble McBea is a story for children aged four to seven. Bubble lives happily on a Scottish island with her dad, Barnacle McBea.

She is joined by friends Shonny the Pony, the Sole Sisters and Alex Salmon, as she explores life under the sea, and learns about how little mistakes can cause big problems.

Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson, said: ‘Once again, Scottish Opera is taking both high and low roads across Scotland to bring these miniature productions to festivals and events managed and run by local people.

“And this year we’re adding water to the mix! We’re delighted to be sailing into coastal resorts along the Clyde estuary aboard the Murray McDavid with operatic tales of pirates, pollution and preposterous puzzles! Our travelling opera houses are unique in the UK and we look forward very much to engaging with new audiences of all ages wherever they live and whatever their interests.’

Pop-up Opera 2017 is supported by Scottish Opera’s Education Angels and Murray McDavid Scotch Whisky.

The trailer tour is coming to Girvan’s Quay Zone, on May 31 at 1.30, 3.30 and 5.30pm

You can also catch the performances at Prestwick Seafront, Links Road on June 1 at 1.30, 3.30 and 5.30pm.