THE stage is set for three aspiring actors from Port Glasgow to star in a major production of Bugsy Malone.

It’s splurge guns at the ready for teenage trio Cara Donnelly, Cailtin Anderson and Cameron McGeachy who are preparing to strut their stuff on stage at the Theatre Royal Glasgow this Friday and Saturday.

They are part of a 90-strong cast of talented youngsters aged between nine and 18 who will perform to hundreds of people across three shows.

The trio have been involved with the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock, and say their help has been crucial in their development.

St Columba’s pupils Caitlin and Cara, both 14, are also friends off stage and attended the Beacon’s youth theatre, while co-star Cameron, 13, is a member of Total Kayos and has already taken part in the waterfront venue’s summer school.

All three are now looking forward to showcasing their acting skills on the big stage.

St Stephen’s pupil Cameron said: “This is probably the biggest thing I’ve done yet.

“I am excited and nervous about it.” Caitlin, who has been acting since she was just four, is also thrilled to be involved in the production.

She said: “I’m also quite nervous, but excited as well. I’ve not done anything as big as this before.” Friend Cara has ambitions of carving out a stage career and hopes her Glasgow debut can help boost her chances.

She said: “I’m excited because it’s our first time doing something somewhere like the Theatre Royal.

“I do want to do acting as more of a career than a hobby.

“I started when I was about five or six because I used to be quite shy and didn’t speak out in class a lot but over the years I have come out my shell.” The show is set in 1929 in New York’s criminal underworld with mob boss Fat Sam is under threat from Dandy Dan’s new gang and their latest weapon — the dreaded splurge gun. His only hope is Bugsy Malone, a washed-up but well-meaning boxer who is thrust into the gangster limelight.

With twists, turns, gangsters and showgirls, the plot unfolds leading to a spectacular showdown at Fat Sam’s Grand Slam speakeasy.

For tickets and more information call the box office on 0844 871 7647 — calls cost 7p per minute plus phone company access charges — or visit atgtickets.com/Glasgow