BAFTA winner stars in play

Feb 14 2008

BAFTA winner Kellyanne Farquhar is set to appear in South Lanarkshire in a powerful new one-woman play which explores the effects of alcohol on young people’s lives and their families.

Kellyanne (24) — who won her Scottish BAFTA for her role as school runaway Amy McDougal in Monarch of the Glen — will play the only part of Rosie, a 15-year-old girl who faces a choice between staying with her alcoholic mother or running off with her 24-year-old boyfriend.

The short play will be performed in South Lanarkshire schools and it is hoped that pupils affected by the issues raised will seek advice and a different perspective before making potentially damaging life choices.

The role appealed to Kellyanne because she believes there are many young girls who do not know who to turn to when they find themselves with big decisions to make.

She commented: “We have to let children know it’s not just them going through this, they don’t have to suffer alone. There are people you can talk to and learn to trust and ultimately make things better.”

The play was written by Maggie Aitken. Her Hamilton-based production company, Daisychain Associates, specialises in producing plays that tackle the difficult issues facing young people.

It was commissioned by Blantyre alcohol charities Street Base and Liber8.

Concentrating on young people, Street Base aims to disrupt drinking patterns by targeting people on the street at crucial times and providing diversionary activities.

Liber8 was launched in October by rock star John Sinclair — who played keyboards in Uriah Heep, the Cult and the Ozzy Osbourne band. It is the only recognised alcohol counselling service in South Lanarkshire.