LEAH MacRAEis sitting on top of the world at the moment.

We're speaking professionally of course.

In reality, she's in the Pavilion theatre's stalls, looking up at the stage on which she'll be starring in The Real Hoosewives of Glesga, a comedy spoof on the Real Housewives reality shows which have taken television by storm.

But the Hoosewives show isn't the only confirmation that Leah has now arrived as a major comedy star in Scotland.

The lady who once played ditsy Julie in Gary: Tank Commander will be appearing at the same theatre in the Christmas panto Treasure Island.

And she's fresh from a tour of one of the most successful theatre shows ever, 51 Shades of Maggie, the take-off of the 50 Shades of Grey novel.

"I really can't believe the success that came with that show," says the 31-year-old, from the South Side of Glasgow.

"I was lined up to front the Scottish shows but ended up doing English dates as well, such as Manchester and Hull when the actress who was from Liverpool pulled out.

"I was totally terrified, and I was nearly greetin' going on with fear. I didn't think my legs would carry me from the wings on to the stage.

"And it took a little longer to win the audiences over, until they got used to my accent I guess. But once the ears were tuned in they laughed constantly.

"Overall, it was fantastic. It was an incredible experience to be able to go on stage in a one-woman show and be able to win over an audience."

Leah played to sold-out theatres across the land. Her power to hold an audience was immense. And it wasn't a surprise to realise talent agencies would take notice.

As a result, she was catapulted into recent Pavilion success story, Please Stay, in which she played a lady of the night.

But the success doesn't stop at the top of Renfield Street.

Leah has a 'huge' project in the pipeline that she can't talk about. But it's fair to say in the coming months she will be one of the most talked about actors in the business.

"I'm recognised in the street now," she says, her face beaming with pride. "People will come up and say they loved me as Maggie. And while some used to refer to me as Julie from Gary, they know I'm Leah now."

Leah, who sings, is also set to re-appear in musical comedy show I Will Survive, with Inside Out Productions, which will run at Oran Mor followed by a mini tour of the West of Scotland.

BUT right now, she's set to become Michelle in Real Hoosewives. And it's a change of pace, which the actress relishes.

"After playing Maggie who's really rough and ready, then a prostitute, I'm playing Michelle who isn't loud at all. In fact, she's closer to Julie in Gary, a bit ditsy, one of life's innocents," she says.

"She may be quite close to a few people I've met, but couldn't possibly name."

The story features five ordinary Glesga women who get the chance to join this TV reality show, Leah explains.

"The five women are all very different. Michele Gallagher plays the tarty Kylie, Nicola Park is Donna-Marie, the cheeky one who's always on a diet, there's Sandra McNeeley who plays Debbie the boozebag, and Alyson Orr plays Barbara, the posh one, who isn't really, who says lines like 'Why can't' you be posh, like I um?'

"They are all nice, big contrasting characters.

"The storyline is also great. With the fortune that comes with the reality show, there are problems. Will money ruin their friendship? Will it change them?"

The play, by LA-based Scots writer Stuart Thomas features a clutch of songs women love, suich as Stand By Your Man and I Will Survive.

"There are some modern songs by the likes of Alicia Keys. But what I love about the show is there is really a buzz about it. And because it's a new you get to develop the character."

She adds: "It's a privilege to be involved in something like this."

Leah is also really looking forward to panto time.

"It's mega exciting because I've never played the baddie before. I've always been the Fairy in panto and now I get to play a baddie pirate.

"How fantastic is that? And I just can't believe how things have progressed for me since 51 Shades. I'm just so lucky."

n The Real Hoosewives of Glesga Pavilion, September 10-14 Saturday matinee, 2pm