A LARGS mother and daughter are preparing to share the stage at a forthcoming show in town.
Lynsey Ewing and her 19-year-old daughter Lily will both play major roles in the Largs Amateur Operatic Society's production of Carousel.
Lynsey plays Carrie Pipperidge in the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, being performed at Barrfields Theatre from March 13 to 16, while Lily, a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow, has landed the role of the female lead, Julie Jordan.
Considered a stage classic, the poignant story revolves around carousel barker Billy Bigelow, whose romance with millworker Julie comes at the price of both their jobs.
Billy attempts a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child; after it goes wrong, he is given a chance to make things right.
Lynsey, 42, revealed to the News that the opportunity to appear alongside Lily was a major incentive for taking on the part.
Lynsey, who runs a dog grooming business, The Pooch Pod, in Brisbane Road, said: "My daughter Lily is the female lead and believe me, you are in for a treat. She has the voice of an angel.
"She’s my bestie in the show and bestie in my life. We sing together, dance together and act together.
"That was the deciding factor for me even going for the part. I’m so busy right now with the shop that it just seemed like the obvious thing not to be in the show this year.
"Then I realised that there aren’t many parts or many more years I’d get away with acting as her best friend. I couldn’t miss that.
"Lily is a classical soprano singer and has an utterly incredible voice. I am in awe and immensely proud of her. She literally makes me cry with her crystal clear voice.
"She has had many lead roles and she loves it, and her boyfriend Andrew McRae is the male lead.
"Carousel was the show that lured me into Largs Amateur Operatic Society when I was 19 years old.
"I went to see it and loved it then I decided to join. The next show they did was Oliver, where I played the part of Nancy.
"Carousel is a show that touches on many things - community, family, friendship, domestic abuse and courage!
"The song that everyone knows is 'You’ll Never Walk Alone' and it really would bring tears to a glass eye. It’s quite something with the whole cast singing their hearts out.
"I promise there won’t be a dry eye in the house.
"Carousel is an oldie but it’s a goodie and so worth a trip to Barrfields to watch it and support a local community group doing what they love!"
Other family connections in Carousel include Andy Park and his his 10-year-old son Harris as one of the children, while another mother-and-daughter duo, Morag and Elizabeth Robertson, are part of the chorus.
The show is directed by Irene Cameron, whose husband David plays Mr Bascombe, while Bob Randall, who plays the Captain, is joined by his wife Anne, another member of the chorus and wardrobe mistress behind the scenes.
Tickets are available from www.ticketsource.co.uk/largsoperatic.
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