A TALENTED Greenock theatre star is through to the final of a prestigious national performing arts competition. 

Grace Deveney, 20, has been selected as a finalist in the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year contest, run by The Singers Company. 

Grace will perform in front of an audience of up to 500 people at the Lomond Auditorium at Glasgow's SEC on May 19. 

Greenock Telegraph:
The former Notre Dame High School pupil, who is in her second year of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) Musical Theatre course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), says getting to the final 'feels like a privilege'. 

Grace said "It's absolutely lovely but a bit nerve-wracking. 

"I'm so proud that I'm getting the chance to represent the Royal Conservatoire.

"I think it's a really big feat getting through to this stage of the competition, and being part of it is amazing."

The Singers Company held open auditions welcoming young people from drama schools and selected just eight finalists from hundreds of performers. 

Grace wowed the judging panel with her versions of 'Waitin' For My Dearie' from Brigadoon and 'Here I Am' from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. 

Greenock Telegraph:
She said she was proud to be able to sing a song using her own west of Scotland accent. 

Grace added: "I think I perform more authentically when I'm using my own accent. 

"You can focus on the words and the emotion without having to think about using another voice. 

"The amazing thing about being at RCS is that I get the chance to appreciate my background a lot more and feel really Scottish. 

"It was a horrible rainy day and my mum and I got absolutely soaked on the way to the audition, but I think that maybe helped!"

If Grace scoops the title of Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year, she will take home a trophy and a cash prize. 

She said she's excited about the prospect of performing in front of hundreds of people in the final. 

Grace added: "It's amazing to get opportunities like this. 

"I'm in a great year at RCS and everyone of the course is really supportive. 

"My friends and family will be there at the final to see me as well."

Grace was part of Inverclyde Musical Youth Theatre when she was growing up and got into the Junior Conservatoire when she was 16. 

In her performing career to date, she has played Maria in the Sound of Music, and Calamity in Calamity Jane. 

Greenock Telegraph:
She also starred in Evita at the King's Theatre in Glasgow with the Pantheon Club in 2022. 

Grace would love to star in London's west end, and her dream role would be either Sophie in Mamma Mia or Cosette in Les Miserables. 

She hopes that being part of the Young Scottish Musical Theatre Performer of the Year final will help propel her onto further stardom. 

Grace added: "I feel less nervous being on stage than I am doing anything else in life.

"I've never wanted to do anything else."