A YOUNG actor from East Renfrewshire who discovered his love of drama by starring in school plays is set to make his debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Andrew Alger, 18, from Newton Mearns, has achieved a major breakthrough by being chosen to appear in a two-man play starting on Saturday.
The play, “Discreet”, written by Andrew’s fellow drama student Chris Kane, has a week’s run in “The Loft” at the Outhouse in Broughton Street Lane.
Telling of the developing relationship between two boys who meet via the LGBT social networking app Grinder, Andrew will be playing alongside Tom Bateman-Quail, another of his college contemporaries.
Originally scheduled for five days, it has been extended to seven, giving the young actors even more time to absorb the unique Fringe atmosphere.
Andrew said: “I went along for an audition and Chris, who is also the play’s director, later messaged me to say I had got the part. I was delighted.”
Andrew’s first experience of acting started when he was a pupil Eastwood High School.
He said: “My teachers were inspirational and encouraged me to take part in school plays because they realised I was keen on drama.
“In S4 I had a part in ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’, which is a novel about a boy with autism spectrum disorder investigating the death of a dog.
“I really enjoyed taking part and that confirmed my wish to study drama.”
Having successfully secured a place at West College Scotland in Paisley to study for a HNC in acting and drama, more acting roles lay ahead.
Earlier this summer Andrew had a double role in the college production of “Her Naked Skin”, a play set during British women’s struggle for the vote in the early 20th century.
He played Labour party founder Keir Hardie and women’s rights activist Charlie Power.
He said: “I found that a really good experience and a short time later I learned I had a place to study for a Higher National Diploma in acting and performance.
“This, together with the Fringe appearance, has really given me a boost.
“I realise many performers started their careers at the Fringe so I am hoping this will open the doors for me in the future.”
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