A tragic true story of the wee Scottish lassie with the voice of Shirley Bassey. This compelling musical, complete with live band, is brought to us by BAFTA and Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Whitnall. In 1974, Lena Zavaroni was spotted by a producer while singing in her local pub on the Isle Of Bute. Shot to stardom at just ten years old, the child singer suffered greatly with the complications of fame.

Zavaroni was the youngest person in history to achieve a top ten album in the UK, with the play portraying her struggle on leaving her island home for London, where money-hungry producers and tabloids control her life and lead to a sad demise. Erin Armstrong is a fantastic singer whose portrayal of the tiny celebrity remains gripping throughout. This poignant, very Scottish play is funny at times, but tackles serious themes, including harrowing depictions of anorexia and depression.

Little Lena’s parents bring a brilliant dynamic to the stage; her functioning alcoholic mum and chip-shop worker dad are left worlds away on Bute as their daughter is catapulted to fame on Opportunity Knocks, ITV’s biggest talent show at the time. Jon Culshaw plays television host Hughie Green marvellously, his accent and toothy grin the perfect embodiment of a certain type of 1970s TV celeb. The small cast’s convincing performances carry this fantastically written musical, a tear-jerking true story that deserves its moment in the spotlight. 

Lena, Assembly George Square, until 28 August, 12.35pm.