Brian Beacom.

STEPHANIE McGregor’s dad is set to be proved right all along.

Since an early age, the actress’s Lulu cheekbones and powerful voice have long suggested she could one day look the part of the Scots singing legend.

Now, the world that is the Oran Mor audience will get the chance to see for themselves.

The Dundee-born actress is now starring in Where’s Lulu.

The play, with a few Lulu standards thrown in, is set in 1969 at the time of the Eurovision Song Contest.

As we go backstage, we discover Lulu preparing to go out and sing a song she hates.

Boom-Bang-a-Bang-Bang is the musical antithesis of all that Lulu stands for.

“The play reveals how Lulu really felt about her career at that time,” says Stephanie.

“She’s really up and down because of the way life is panning out for her.”

Lulu’s early career suggested the emergence of the greatest white soul singer the world had seen. And here she was singing a song with naff lyrics and a German oompah back beat.

Lulu’s manager however, Marion Massey (Romana Abercromby) believed her protégé was ready to move into light entertainment.

Lulu was all to aware this was seen by credible performers as a swamp from which there was no escape.

“Meantime, Lulu’s mother (Sarah McCardie) is pulling her apart as well,” says Stephanie.

“Both of these women love Lulu, but they can’t agree with her about what’s best for her professional future.”

Stehanie adds; “There is conflict between all three of them, and that makes for a really good play.”

The play, which saw an early life on radio, has been written by Danny McCahon who carried out research interviews with the Scots star.

Stephanie, at 31 playing 20, smiles as she admits she didn’t know too much about Lulu before she was offered the role.

“All I knew she was a massive Scottish star but not much more than that,” she says, smiling.

“I’d forgotten she was once married to Mo from the Bee Gees.

“But in doing the research I realised she really loves music. She has a huge passion for music.”

The challenge of singing Lulu songs such as Too Sir, With Love and Shout doesn’t leave Stephanie feeling fazed at all.

But replicating the lady from Dennistoun’s speaking voice, she says, is more problematic.

“I had to stop watching YouTube videos of her because the accent is so mixed up,” she says, smiling. “There is a mix of Glaswegian, received pronunciation and American in there.

“And when she was really young she spoke ever-so posh. And being Dundonian, this was all a bit tricky for me.”

Stephanie adds, grinning; “Despite being in Glasgow for six years, I still haven’t picked up the accent.”

Stephanie has enjoyed the process of discovering Lulu.

“What we seem to forget about Lulu was she was just 14 when manager Marion Massey took her to London to live with her and develop her into a star.

“It must have been scary for her. That shows a real desire and focus on her part.

“But I can understand it because performing is all she ever wanted to do. I grew up with the same feeling.”

Stephanie was brought up on Hollywood musicals and the music of Garland and Streisand. She performed as soon as she was old enough, eventually going off to drama college in London.

Now, she’s playing a star who was famous in America with Too Sir, With Love.

“That’s my dad’s favourite song,” says the actress, in delighted voice. “He’s so happy I get to sing part of it.”

Where’s Lulu, Oran Mor, until Saturday.

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