PRESTONPANS performer Liam McKenzie is living his dream after taking to the stage at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The former Preston Lodge High School pupil won a place in the cast of The Great American Trailer Park Musical, an Off-Broadway comedy.

And he revealed joining the ensemble for the show fulfilled an ambition he had held for years.

Liam, 23, said: “I’ve been going to Fringe shows for years and have always wanted to be in one so I’m really looking forward to the whole experience.”

The show is running throughout the Fringe at St Columba’s by the Castle, a venue off the Capital’s Johnston Terrace.

Liam is is currently training for a diploma in musical theatre at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts and has spent the past two years honing his craft at the renowned Edinburgh institution, which earlier this year became the first full-time professional training academy in Scotland to be awarded accreditation by CDET, the UK’s quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries.

He said: “I’ve always been interested in musical theatre but actually worked in an office for a few years.

“It wasn’t until I went to see a performance of Wicked that I realised it was what I wanted to do with my life.

“When I auditioned for a place at The MGA Academy I had only done a few dance workshops but I have learnt so much since and my confidence has really improved.

“My absolute dream is to get a job performing on a cruise ship so I can travel the world whilst doing what I love.”

Andrew Gowland, director of The Great American Trailer Park Musical and managing director of The MGA Academy, said: “Everyone at The MGA Academy is very proud of Liam and all he has achieved since he started training with us.

“We are confident that the training he is receiving here will ensure he goes on to be a great success in the future and we look forward to supporting him during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.”

The Great American Trailer Park Musical runs daily as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe until Monday, August 28, 8.40pm to 10.15pm.

Tickets, priced £13.50/£11.50, can be purchased via edfringe.com or via 0131 226 0000.