A talented young Largs actress who started out in local youth theatre and school productions has taken the big leap across the pond to perform in Broadway.

It is a dream come true for Star Penders who told the News she was thrilled about the big opportunity to perform Stateside.

Star is appearing in Scots - a hilarious musical play about Scotland which has had two runs at the famous Pie, Pint and a Play at Oran Mor - and it was recently selected to be performed in America as part of the high profile Tartan Week celebrations in New York.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Written in the Stars - Young Largs actress headed to New York this weekWritten in the Stars - Young Largs actress headed to New York this week (Image: Twitter)
Star, who is studying at the Royal Conservatoire travelled to The Big Apple during the past week for the incredible experience.

The quirky play in which she stars is a musical history lesson reflecting its past, present and future, people and places triumphs and failures. 

And it is all told by a figure who has seen it all - Scotland’s greatest invention and storyteller, The Toilet!

Largs and Millport Weekly News:
The show is described as an irreverent and rousing journey through the history of Scotland told in 50 hilarious, riotous, song-filled minutes.

Star, 22, is part of a multi-skilled ensemble who replay some of our nations most iconic stories to answer the fundamental question; what makes a country?

Star said: "It is a hilarious play but it also has its serious moments and comes from the pen of award winning writing partnership of Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie.

"I play Annie Gibbons who installed the first ever toilets in the tenement flats in Glasgow and was an unsung hero in inventors - as well as a number of other roles in the play.

"It is all new music and original songs and is not afraid to examine important issues and has an extremely good message at the heart of it about the importance of our nation."

Asked how she found out about the big New York opportunity, which will include Star and her fellow cast appearing in the famous Tartan Week parade, Star said: "We heard in February when I was appearing in MacBeth at the Lyceum through in Edinburgh that there was going to be another run of Scots at the Pie, Pint an a Play at Oran Mor, and then I got a phone call from the artistic director Jemima asking me about how would I feel about going to New York? It was a real 'Wow' moment!

"We were performing excerpts firstly at the University Club where there was a gala dinner taking place for Tartan Week which included government and business people which was exciting.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Big Apple - Star Penders and cast have enjoyed a terrific week in New YorkBig Apple - Star Penders and cast have enjoyed a terrific week in New York (Image: Twitter)
"And then on Sunday evening we were performing the whole show at 54 Below which is an award winning cabaret venue - it was fantastic!"

It has been a whirlwind few years for Star since she signed up to the Royal Conservatoire of Glasgow which has had past graduate luminaries such as David Tennant,  James McAvoy, and our own Daniela Nardini.

Star continued: "I am finishing my final year and graduate in July - it is hard to believe I have gone from Largs Operatic Society to Broadway.

"I have learned so much through all the workshops and shows at the Royal Conservatoire and they have been really supportive.

"When I come back from New York this week I jump right into rehearsals on our final show at the Royal Conservatoire, Children of Eden. I play the lead in that and there is potential after that of moving to London and I am also currently in the process of signing up with an agent, so it is very much exciting times ahead.

"I loved growing up watching musicals and my mum Karen and dad Allan, who plays in the band Filthy White Suit, have always been a strong influence, as has music principal at Largs Academy Craig Smith, who was so encouraging and gave me good parts in shows. He has been really brilliant."