Teenager’s play passes the test

IT WAS written to entertain his classmates at school and pass an exam.

But now teenager Ian Dunnett, who has just left Kinross High School, is about to see his play thrust into the spotlight as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The 17-year-old from Kinnesswood will take to the stage next month with a cast of fellow former pupils to put on Buckingham’s Finest.

The comedy drama about the royal family will run for five nights in the capital’s Royal Scots Club as part of the international event which has been the springboard for the careers of countless famous entertainers.

Ian, who also stars in and directs the show, penned the play as he studied for an Advanced Higher in drama in his final year.

When it was staged for fellow pupils and teachers it went down a storm.

Audience members described it as “inspiring” and “hilarious”.

Ian said: “Because I had so much success, I decided to put it on for three evenings and I sold out within four days.”

Ian was delighted when Buckingham’s Finest was confirmed as part of the Fringe programme.

He said: “It’s very exciting because I’m so young in comparison to everyone else.

“I’m going into an unknown world but I feel that I have taken the right steps towards it.”

Already, more than half of the 420 tickets have been sold, with almost a fortnight until the opening show.

While primarily a comedy, the play is set in 1997, the year Princess Diana died and Tony Blair came to power, so has a deeper side.

Ian is no stranger to the limelight, having just played the T-Break Stage at T in the Park as saxophonist with Kinross band Sienna.

Buckingham’s Finest runs from August 10 to 16.

Picture: David Wardle. Kinross High School former student Ian Dunnett in costume.