A SECOND Scottish independence referendum will act as the backdrop of the debut performance by a new Inverclyde youth theatre group.

Beacon Young Company (BYC) will debut their first ever company production, Hector Moray, at the waterfront venue on Tuesday.

Written by Andy McGregor, it’s set in 2021 and Hector is a below average teenager with a well below average name.

His life is normal as can be until the return of a ‘No’ vote in a second referendum sends Scotland, and Hector, into an adventure like no other.

Writer and director Andy said: “Featuring brilliant young performers from Inverclyde, Hector Moray, is a unique play that blends comedy, tragedy, absurdism and farce all into one tightly wound little ball of energy, and I can’t wait to see what audiences make of Hector’s great journey into the unknown.”

Formed at the start of the year, BYC are a new theatre company consisting of young people aged 16-21 who are interested in pursuing further learning opportunities in performance, theatre-making and production.

Their debut piece was originally created as part of National Theatre of Scotland’s Exchange Festival and the company has been selected to take part in the event, which takes place this summer at the MacRobert Centre in Stirling.

It brings together young theatre makers from Scotland, USA and New Zealand to share their work and participate in a variety of workshops lead by creative professionals. 

Laura Pearce, the Beacon’s learning officer, said: “BYC was established as there was an identified need to support young theatre-makers from Inverclyde to develop their creative, production and performance skills.

"BYC participants have been encouraged to contribute to all aspects of Hector Moray and I can truly say that the young people have taken creative ownership of this piece.

“All the participants are extremely well rounded theatre makers.

“This has been a fantastic and beneficial experience for all involved.”

Hector Moray is on at the Beacon Arts Centre Studio on Tuesday June 28 at 7.30pm.

Tickets priced £7/£5 are on sale now from www.beaconartscentre.co.uk or by calling the box office on 723723.