Starring role for Inverness College technician
A DRAMA and media technician at Inverness College UHI is swapping his day job behind the scenes for a starring role on the stage.
Alan Macleod (57) is a finalist in this year’s Ness Factor in aid of Highland Hospice.
Nine contestants will compete in the singing competition, which takes place at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on 21st October.
Alan, who worked as a self-employed audio visual technician before joining Inverness College UHI this year, is more at home perfecting the sound and light for others, than taking centre stage himself.
However, it’s not completely into the unknown for the former Royal Air Force (RAF) electrical technician, who has performed with Starlight Musical Theatre for several years.
Alan, who lives in Inverness with his wife Marji and son Innes (21), said: “I hadn’t sang since I was in a choir at school, then three years ago I saw an advert for Starlight Musical Theatre, who were auditioning for West Side Story. I just thought, ‘I’m going to give it a shot.’ My family thought I was having a mid-life crisis! I was one of the Jets and just loved it. I went on to perform in Oliver and Annie and recently joined the Rock Therapy choir in Inverness. I saw that Ness Factor was auditioning and knew last year’s winner Caroline MacPherson through performing with Starlight. I just thought I’d throw my hat into the ring and see. I was delighted when the told me I was a finalist.”
He continued: “I really enjoy musical theatre and being on stage, but Ness Factor is a wee bit different because you’re not playing a character, it will be me, up there on the stage as myself. It’s a totally different challenge but I’m really looking forward to it and my family have been so supportive.”
And it’s not the first time Alan has raised money for Highland Hospice. Three years ago he took part in a sponsored weight loss, shedding three stone.
“I’ve seen for many years the great work done by Highland Hospice in supporting patients with terminal illness and their families and Ness Factor was another opportunity to help raise money for this fantastic cause,” he said.
Alan, who impressed judges with his rendition of Dean Martin’s ‘Ain’t That a Kick in the Head’ is now in training with a professional voice coach ahead of the competition, which will see each contestant perform one solo song and a group number.
Alan has been sponsored by Inverness College UHI and is planning a number of fundraising events for Highland Hospice over the coming months.
More than 300 people attended last year’s Ness Factor, which raised more than £86,000 for Highland Hospice.
To sponsor Alan, visit https://nessfactor2017.everydayhero.com/uk/alanmacs-ness-factor-2017