INSIDE eight months Lochgelly Youth has become a major player on the amateur musical scene.

The scene, dominated by Kelty and Lochgelly and District Amateur Musical Associations for many decades, saw Lochgelly Youth make an impressive arrival with their production of Hairspray in September.

And next month their second production, Fame, is set to go on a three night run at Lochgelly Centre Theatre.

The enthusiastic, and very talented, director of Lochgelly Youth, Liam Nardone, said that the organisation's cast now has 46 members, eight up from Hairspray, but more importantly they now have 13 new members.

The Ballingry teenager said that it had been an exciting time for Lochgelly Youth with them getting their own 'home' over the past few months.

Commented Lochgelly High School pupil, Liam: "When we were preparing for Hairspray we were fortunate to have the use of the St Serf's Church Hall in Lochgelly and the school and now we have been able to get the lease of the former Lochgelly Baptist Church Hall, in Station Road.

"It really is ideal for us to store various things plus the hall is an ideal size for rehearsals and there is ample space for us to erect mirrors to allow our dancers work on things.

"It is just brilliant to be able to call it our home."

Liam could not believe the backing the fledgling group got from the Lochgelly, Benarty and Cardenden business community and general public, for Hairspray when they played to two full house signs and for Fame the will have three performances.

The show will hit the stage for the first performance on Wednesday March 28 and then follow on the Thursday and Friday nights.

Added director Liam: "The Hairspray cast totalled 38, and we lost five through people having to move away for various reasons.

"But we have been able to recruit 13 new people and included in that is three more boys.

"Last year we only had two boys so that has been handy with the added male roles in Fame.

"We have been rehearsing three nights a week and like Hairspray it has been brilliant to see how the cast has improved with each session."

Liam ended up playing the male lead last year after the person chosen for the part had to drop out at the 11th hour, but this year he is confident he can just fill the director's chair.

Leading man in Fame is Nick, played by 17 year-old Andrew Stewart, with the female leads Carmen, played by Arianna De Melo, 18, and 14 year-old Courtney Bryson, who plays Serena.

Added the director: "The three of them are doing really well and will continue to develop in their parts in the run up to the first night.

"Adding the extra night to the run means we have more than 1,000 tickets to sell for Fame but already we have shifted a good few.

"People can get tickets at the Lochgelly Centre or the On at Fife website."

Liam said that the input of families had been incredible, with a special mention for his gran, 'who has seen her home invaded by costumes for shows' and he thanked everyone who is backing Fame.