A COMEDIAN from Greenock is swapping stand-up with adults for a sit-down with youngsters in a new children’s show.

Jay McAllister, nee Lafferty, is returning home to the Beacon Arts Centre with The Song of Fergus and Kate on Saturday afternoon.

The former Gourock High pupil started her stage career on the comedy circuit at the age of 21 and has worked with stars including Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and Bruce Morton.

But in recent years she has ventured into other genres with her company Watch This Space Productions and this weekend will be the storyteller for her new interactive children’s show.

Jay, who now lives in Edinburgh with husband and fellow performer Keir McAllister, said: “It’s a really lovely show for younger children.

“I am playing the solo role of the storyteller and it will be the first time that I have personally been in a production in Greenock since my time with the Greenock Players when I was a teenager doing panto in the Arts Guild so I am super excited. 

“The Song of Fergus and Kate is very interactive show and has been incredibly collaborative piece as I have worked with a very talented animator, musician and set designer to create a magical experience for the audience.”

Watch This Space Productions is now in its third year and in a strong position with over eight successful Edinburgh Fringe productions and three tours under.

Jay is the creative director and has worked alongside talented writers emerging from Scotland’s thriving theatre and comedy scene and directors such as Phil Differ, Gowan Calder and Shauna MacDonald.

The children’s theatre side is made of a strong team which includes set and costume designer Socks Rolland, who previously worked on Scottish tours of Hairy Maclary, and animator Henry Cruikshank.

In 2016 the company’s show ‘The Fantastical Return of Greyfriar’s Bobby’, starring Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Scott Gibson, was a huge success playing to sold out audiences throughout its run and achieving a number of positive reviews.

The Song of Fergus and Kate follows a young boy who is isolated by the town because of the way he looks until he meets a young girl called who shows him what friendship really means.

It is about celebrating differences and draws comparisons with what is going on in the world today, in particular governments’ responses to asylum seekers. The production itself is focused on one storyteller – Jay – who uses a set adapted to look like a pop-up storybook.

It is interactive and children will be invited to help during the show by verbally guiding the characters or by helping to solve a problem. 

There are a number of animations which provide additional background to the story and give depth to Fergus and Kate’s experiences.

For tickets and more information visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk or call the box office on 723723.