WITH just literally hours to go before Lochgelly Youth's production of Hairspray takes the stage rehearsals are being stepped up.

This is the Lochgelly Youth theatre company's first production and will open at the Centre Theatre on Thursday.

Things have been developing well behind the scenes for LY and director Liam Nardone cannot believe how the very young cast of this show has measured up or the fact that the Friday night performance has only a few seats left to be sold and the Thursday night show is already more than half full.

Lochgelly Youth has been delighted to attract major support from three local businesses; and other parts of the business community in the Lochgelly and Benarty areas have been donating a host of prizes for a fundraising draw which will be run in conjunction with the two night run.

Sixteen year-old Liam, who played Widow Twankey in last year's Lochgelly High School pantomime Aladdin, is combining directing with a role in the show but really wanted to talk about how hard the young cast has been working at making this show a success.

He said: "Each rehearsal session has seen improvement and the confidence levels are really good.

"The team have been working very hard and we have been holding sessions this week and this Thursday afternoon in a bid to ensure any wee problems are ironed out.

"I asked the drama teacher at Lochgelly High to have a look a one of our rehearsals and he was really positive about what he saw.

"We have been fortunate to get marvellous backing from the public of the Lochgelly area and to have close to a full house on Friday is simply amazing and sales for Thursday are going well too."

Ballingry lad Liam, who wants to make the theatre his vocation, added that the costumes are very good and have fitted the cast members perfectly and everyone is now looking forward to curtain up on Thursday night at the Centre.

Lochgelly Youth was only formed a few weeks ago but already this is looking like a very successful new group in the town.