Lifelong Singing Kettle fan Anya Scott-Rodgers saw her childhood dream realised as she became the newest member of Fife’s most famous entertainers.
Anya’s fascination for the group began aged just six years old when Artie Trezise, who founded the Singing Kettle with his wife Cilla Fisher in 1982, picked her to come on stage during the Singing Kettle’s 1993 World Tour Show at the memorial hall in Anya’s hometown of Lanark.
She played the role of the Wee Kirkcudbright Centipede, a memory she holds dear to this day.
Since then Anya (26) has followed the antics of Artie and Cilla and other Singing Kettle members Gary Coupland and Kevin Macleod from afar so, when she heard Artie and Cilla had retired as on-stage members and were looking for a new performer, she didn’t think twice about putting herself forward for the role.
She said: “When I saw the advert forthe new cast member, I knew I had to go for it.
“I’ve never forgotten my time growing up, watching the videos, going to the shows with my mum, then heading home to re-create my own Singing Kettle show with my three brothers as the audience.
“I was a bit of a tomboy but when it came to my Singing Kettle shows I was always Cilla and would even put on a sparkly dress.”
Welcoming Anya onboard, Artie said: “We are delighted. “Anya beat over 300 people to the part after an arduous audition process and she is set to be a real star in the show.”
In her first role as a fully fledged member of the band, Anya is to take to the stage at the SECC in Glasgow next month when filming will commence for the making of the new Singing Kettle DVD Rumble in the Jungle.
Having studied acting at college, English literature and theatre at Glasgow University, as well as being able to sing, dance and play multiple musical instruments such as guitar, piano, saxophone and even kazoo, Anya is well equipped to fit in to her new role and is also very aware that she has some big boots to fill.
She said: “It’s fantastic working with Gary and Kevin and Cilla and Artie have also been amazing, giving loads of advice and encouragement.
“They have both created something so special with the Singing Kettle and I am so lucky and honoured to now be part of it and living the dream.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind so far but I can’t wait to get to that first show.”
The new Singing Kettle trio will begin their Rumble in the Jungle tour at the SECC on Sunday March 10.
For further information and other Scottish venue dates visit www.singingkettle.com