0:00:05 > 0:00:06In June of last year,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10young people in Scotland were given power as never before.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13And it is absolutely right that they do have the opportunity
0:00:13 > 0:00:16to vote on the 18th of September next year.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19This year, for the first time in the UK,
0:00:19 > 0:00:2216 and 17-year-olds will vote in a national election
0:00:22 > 0:00:24which will shape the future of the country.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27It's not something that people this age usually get,
0:00:27 > 0:00:28so it's kind of a privilege.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30It's a big responsibility.
0:00:30 > 0:00:31I really want to make a difference.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35As Scotland's independence referendum rapidly approaches,
0:00:35 > 0:00:37these teenagers will create and perform a play
0:00:37 > 0:00:40to help make up their minds about how to vote.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43- Badgers. - SHE LAUGHS
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- I was the original twerker! - I am Scotland's First Minister.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Can all this really help as they face what could be
0:00:52 > 0:00:55the biggest political decision of their lives?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59ALL: Now's the hour!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17In the heart of Glasgow city centre, Scottish Youth Theatre has been
0:01:17 > 0:01:21inspiring young people from across Scotland since the 1970s.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24These young people have been brought together
0:01:24 > 0:01:27because of a shared interest in drama and politics,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and will spend their Christmas holidays putting on a play,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34which will help them get to grips with their feelings on the forthcoming referendum.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Well, I am honestly undecided when it comes to voting.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44I don't know if I'm going to pick yes or no.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47When I heard we got the vote, I was like, "What's this?"
0:01:47 > 0:01:49I don't really know the arguments that well,
0:01:49 > 0:01:50so I'd like to find out more about it.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54With guidance from director Fraser McLeod and his team,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58the group will work on a devising a show, Now's The Hour,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02which will reflect and explore their diverse views on the referendum.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Some of you are brand-new to performance, so, welcome.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Please don't be scared. That's great. That's really exciting.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The play is not about if they are going to vote yes or no,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14it's more about their hopes and aims and fears for the future.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It's great for you guys to be involved in this.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21I think it's excellent that 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to vote.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I thought this would be a really interesting way to learn about it
0:02:24 > 0:02:27as well as having fun and meeting new people.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34SYT first mounted Now's The Hour in the summer of 2013,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38but this unique production will be devised and re-written by the new cast.
0:02:38 > 0:02:40CHEERING
0:02:40 > 0:02:42We've got "scenery"...
0:02:42 > 0:02:45With busy lives and exams on the near horizon,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47time for these young people is tight.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50They have just three short weeks to turn their questions
0:02:50 > 0:02:54on Scotland's future into a show fit for public performance.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56It's quite daunting, I'm not going to lie.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58I think when you've got a short period of time to do something,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01there's a bigger influx of ideas come out of that.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03So the accents are British cringe.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06The young cast won't be alone in their endeavours -
0:03:06 > 0:03:08writer David Cosgrove will be on hand
0:03:08 > 0:03:12to pull the final script together as the drama workshops evolve.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Your contributions are absolutely vital to this.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20We can't make this without you all committing to being as honest
0:03:20 > 0:03:23and open as you can.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26I have to take away all the devising
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and the views that happen in the room
0:03:28 > 0:03:33and kind of meld them into a doable script.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35We're looking for things about
0:03:35 > 0:03:39the kinds of issues that you maybe don't know enough about,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41or you're concerned about.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Before they get down to the business of creating a show,
0:03:51 > 0:03:55the cast have their first encounters with musical director Anna Schneider...
0:03:55 > 0:03:57And give your whole body a shake.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00..and choreographer Jayne Austin...
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Yes, it might be tough and you might get hot and sweaty.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06..who will put them through their vocal and physical paces.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07And tilt.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12And stretch your arms up and back. That's it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16ALL SING: Ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Long. And to the side.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24And roll.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26ALL SING: # One, two, three, four Five, six, seven, eight
0:04:26 > 0:04:28# Seven, six, five, four Three, two, one. #
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Each of the participants has been asked to come up with a question,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37the answer to which would influence their personal decision on how to vote.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43How would our society improve if we voted no,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45and likewise if we voted yes?
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Will racism be tackled?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Will people with disabilities get treated equally?
0:04:49 > 0:04:50What will happen to the NHS?
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Will promises become a reality?
0:04:52 > 0:04:54What will happen to free prescription?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Will we have to change our currency?
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Will I have to pay tuition fees?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00Would a future Scotland be economically sustainable?
0:05:00 > 0:05:04You don't have to agree with it. Like, say you feel strongly...
0:05:04 > 0:05:09With their questions displayed on the wall, the cast are marking the ones they most want to discuss.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15It's really exciting cos there's points coming up that this group seem really passionate about.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21Amina, 15, Edinburgh. What would we have if we didn't use the pound?
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Why is that a question that kind of speaks to some people?
0:05:25 > 0:05:29When I was in primary, it was hard enough for me to learn what a pound was,
0:05:29 > 0:05:34- never mind what a euro is. - LAUGHTER
0:05:34 > 0:05:37At 15 Amy is the youngest member of the group,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40and the only one who won't be able to vote in September,
0:05:40 > 0:05:43but that doesn't mean she's short of an opinion.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Some of my friends are like,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48"What are you voting for? I'll vote for that if you vote for that."
0:05:48 > 0:05:51and I'm like, "You should really be voting for what YOU think."
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- I learned the pound and I like the pound. - LAUGHTER
0:05:54 > 0:05:58One option, if we were to go option if we were to go independent,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01would be to have the pound. What's the other options?
0:06:01 > 0:06:05- Euro.- The euro.- Groat.- Groat! The Groat has reared its head.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09- Bitcoins.- Bitcoins?!- Yes.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- Is that an electronic...? - Yeah, yeah, it's electronic money.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- That'd be so cool! That wouldnae confuse me. - LAUGHTER
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We are working with a group of young people who are very articulate
0:06:21 > 0:06:23and are very emotionally intelligent,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and are respectful of each other's points of view.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Will Scotland continue with free further education?
0:06:30 > 0:06:32That's a question that meant something to you,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35so, what? What does it mean to you?
0:06:35 > 0:06:40Education is the very backbone of society, and a society is
0:06:40 > 0:06:45where you have the right to live in the pursuit of happiness.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47That's what education should do.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51I'm not poor, but I'm not rich, and I don't think, like, yeah,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53we're turning 16 and 18 and stuff,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57and you're going to want to get a car and going to need to get all that.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Maybe a couple of grand to go to uni.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04I'm Kieran from Fife and my question is - can the Westminster government guarantee
0:07:04 > 0:07:08that they won't be cutting our budget by £4.1 billion in the event of a no vote?
0:07:08 > 0:07:16There are some people who know this independence debate through and through, from every angle.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21It was fascinating. There's people that have read much more on it than I ever will, I think.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26The Scottish Parliament gets a block amount of money,
0:07:26 > 0:07:30and that's calculated through the Barnett formula that, of course,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32we contribute over our population share.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36But the thing is, the Barnett formula actually gives us more money
0:07:36 > 0:07:41than we give out in taxes, so we get more money than Ireland or Wales.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44So if you're looking at it in fairness then maybe
0:07:44 > 0:07:48we aren't quite as fair or as equal as the other countries in the UK.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51It's an old thing to say that we're subsidized.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Scotland contributes its fair share.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Ho ho! Yes! Ding ding!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01I find it a really difficult process because I have to be devil's advocate,
0:08:01 > 0:08:06because that's where some of the interesting points in creating drama's going to come out of it.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Discussion over for now, it's time for the drama to begin.
0:08:12 > 0:08:16Fraser has split the cast into groups and asked them to improvise
0:08:16 > 0:08:19a scene based on where the country could be after the referendum.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23You only have to ask, you didn't have to throw a referendum,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25like a tantrum.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30They have just 15 minutes to create their sketch.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36We were given the requirements that it had to be about Scotland
0:08:36 > 0:08:39voting no towards the referendum,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42but still being in a good relationship with the UK.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43Yeah, yeah, that makes sense.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46And we decided to make it like a band.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51So the band is the UK, each person represents a country,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54but Scott, who is Scotland, wants to have a solo career.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55I'm going to be magical.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03We've decided to do like a kind of Jeremy Kyle, chat show kind of thing.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- What has Scotland ever done wrong? - Mr Scotland, here, Mr proud Scotsman here, he tried to leave!
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Scotland is more like, "Nothing has happened, nothing is wrong,"
0:09:12 > 0:09:14but then when you get down to it, you get England in
0:09:14 > 0:09:19and Ireland in and Wales, he notices what's going on now.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22I just don't understand how we're going to do it if it's a battle.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26We are hosting a celebratory dinner party for the yes campaign
0:09:26 > 0:09:28having had a successful referendum,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32but we plan to take it that tensions are bit high
0:09:32 > 0:09:34between the rest of the UK and Scotland.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- APPLAUSE - With the 15 minutes up,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40it's time to show each other what they have managed to come up with.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42If you could change one thing...
0:09:42 > 0:09:45I'll come to you first, Mr Cameron. If you could change one thing,
0:09:45 > 0:09:47what would it be?
0:09:47 > 0:09:48I would have treated you better.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Ah, well, you should have thought about that, shouldn't you?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- CHEERING - Five, six, five, six, seven, eight.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00ALL SING: # God save our gracious Queen
0:10:00 > 0:10:02# God save our gracious Queen
0:10:02 > 0:10:06# God save our Queen. #
0:10:09 > 0:10:15It's OK, Scotland, you're being very brave. Very brave about this. LAUGHTER
0:10:15 > 0:10:18So, I think it's time to maybe see England's point of view.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22A big hand for England, please. APPLAUSE
0:10:22 > 0:10:25- Oh, get away from me! - LAUGHTER
0:10:26 > 0:10:29What was really nice about that was just how quickly you did work.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32We're looking for seeds, we're looking for ideas,
0:10:32 > 0:10:37we're looking for concepts that we can maybe latch on and develop further.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41PIANO PLAYS "SCOTLAND THE BRAVE"
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Melody. "Land of my high endeavour."
0:10:52 > 0:10:55As well as brushing up on the political arguments,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58the group are going to have to pass muster as a choir,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and have seven new songs to learn in just three weeks.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Now what I want to do is hear everyone sing individually.
0:11:05 > 0:11:06I cannae sing to save myself.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12# High in the misty highlands
0:11:12 > 0:11:15# Out by the purple islands
0:11:15 > 0:11:17# Brave are the hearts that beat
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- # Beneath Scottish skies. # - Good. Thank you.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Who's next?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Two, three, and...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32# High in the misty highlands
0:11:32 > 0:11:35# Out by the purple islands. #
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- I can't sing this, I'm going to embarrass myself.- Don't worry.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Three, and...
0:11:40 > 0:11:45# Towering in gallant flames Scotland my mountain hame
0:11:45 > 0:11:50# High may your proud standards Gloriously wave. #
0:11:50 > 0:11:52LAUGHTER
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- That was really bad.- No, it wasn't. So, it's -
0:11:56 > 0:12:01# High may your proud standards Gloriously wave
0:12:01 > 0:12:04ALL: # Land of my high endeavour
0:12:04 > 0:12:07# Land of the shining heather
0:12:07 > 0:12:13# Land of my heart for ever Scotland the brave. #
0:12:13 > 0:12:14Good.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27To help shape the final show, the cast will be asked to write a letter to their future selves.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31They've been given some time to begin thinking about
0:12:31 > 0:12:34what their lives might be like in 20 years' time.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36We're asking them to express to themselves
0:12:36 > 0:12:4020 years in the future what their hopes, their fears, their ambitions are,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42for themselves and also for Scotland.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45And out of that will come a lot of the material
0:12:45 > 0:12:47that we'll use during the piece.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55One of my hopes is that I'm actually happy with my life
0:12:55 > 0:12:58and happy with where I'm going, good direction, good stability.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06Regardless of whether Scotland becomes an independent country,
0:13:06 > 0:13:12I hope that it like remains a healthy, hardworking and sustainable country.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I hope, independent or not, Scotland can keep its culture.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21I hope Scotland can be more like Scandinavian countries.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23I hope we never forget who we are.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25We'll have more arts funding.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27We'll more prominent within world culture.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29That we still stay the same cracking country we are just now.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34How did you guys find it? Was it easy, difficult?
0:13:34 > 0:13:36I would really like to read this letter in 20 years
0:13:36 > 0:13:40and then think what I would change going back to how I am now.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44I think it was quite nice to talk about my family, thinking about
0:13:44 > 0:13:47what my parents will be like, and what my brother will be like.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52Can you go and put your notes and things away in your bags now. Do not lose these.
0:13:52 > 0:13:59And all of you need to have e-mailed David by end of play Wednesday
0:13:59 > 0:14:00with your completed letter.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07Homework set and minds on the future, it's time for the cast to head for home.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36At home in Dundee, 15-year-old Ellie is enjoying some free time
0:14:36 > 0:14:39with mum, Amanda, and thinking about what she's learned.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42I feel like I'm learning a lot about what side to pick,
0:14:42 > 0:14:45cos I am really undecided on how to vote so I think that
0:14:45 > 0:14:48listening to other people and what they think has really helped me.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52This is where Dad said he used to come.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55We're at Balgay Hill and you can see the entire layout
0:14:55 > 0:14:58of Dundee from here...
0:14:58 > 0:15:00and it's just so nice to look at
0:15:00 > 0:15:04and I like to just come here with family and friends and things.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- It's really nice, eh? - It is. It's lovely from here.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I like the way the water looks from here.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12'It makes it difficult to decide. You don't know if anyone's
0:15:12 > 0:15:15'telling the truth cos everyone's like, "This is all great."
0:15:15 > 0:15:17'"This is all horrible." There's no middle ground.'
0:15:17 > 0:15:21It makes me worried because if I make a wrong decision, things could go badly for Scotland.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23You do see it.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26'I just hope that it's still a good place to live in,'
0:15:26 > 0:15:28whether we're independent or not, that we still get
0:15:28 > 0:15:33our good education and health and I like the way Scotland is.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37- I don't want it to get worse. I want it to stay nice...- Yes.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39..and hope that it's a good place.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46For 16-year-old James, home is the West Highlands,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48on the banks of Loch Etive.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Like Ellie, James is undecided on how he's going to vote
0:15:53 > 0:15:57and living in the country will be a big factor in making his decision.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00I think people from rural areas
0:16:00 > 0:16:03have got kind of an important part of Scotland's identity because
0:16:03 > 0:16:10we bring a different perspective of life to the table.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I think that's because we don't get as many opportunities
0:16:13 > 0:16:15as Central Belt do
0:16:15 > 0:16:17and I think one of the things you could probably improve
0:16:17 > 0:16:20in rural areas is transport and infrastructure.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24I'm very much for equality of opportunities all over Scotland
0:16:24 > 0:16:26and I believe that's one of the ways that we could do that.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Back in Glasgow, 16-year-old Zack has come back
0:16:36 > 0:16:38to his former primary school
0:16:38 > 0:16:42to reflect on what first got him involved in politics.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46I was dead into politics at a very, very, very young age.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49A lot of people were interested in like Spider-Man and so forth,
0:16:49 > 0:16:51I was interested in politics. That's quite a weird thing
0:16:51 > 0:16:53for a child to have.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57At the age of nine, Zack was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome
0:16:57 > 0:17:00which lead to problems throughout his primary school career.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04This little hill behind his old school was his place of refuge
0:17:04 > 0:17:06when things got tough.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I was bulled for seven years of my life
0:17:08 > 0:17:10because of my disability
0:17:10 > 0:17:14and only up there I actually did find peace
0:17:14 > 0:17:17because beyond there, I had my own little slice of heaven.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22They called me every name in the book and the worst name I was ever called was Aspertic Boy.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24But the teachers did step in for me a lot.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Zack's early experiences have informed his future ambitions.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34I want to speak up for people. I want to try and be a leader.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36The thing I really, really want,
0:17:36 > 0:17:41my hope for future independence, is that everyone gets equal rights.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45Men, women, people with disabilities,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48heterosexuals, homosexuals, it doesn't matter.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52The SNP are social liberals. No, no, no.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Zack has his sights set on Scottish independence.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02His mum Linda, on the other hand, has more practical goals in mind.
0:18:02 > 0:18:09- Put it down.- You put it down. On you go.- Health and safety.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13- Fine. Fine.- You're the one who wants independence!
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Start at home with being independent for yourself.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19You'll have to iron your own clothes in an independent Scotland.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Well, in the last few days, I've been writing a letter
0:18:29 > 0:18:32to my future self in 20 years' time
0:18:32 > 0:18:35and that's brought a few issues to me
0:18:35 > 0:18:39that I'd never really thought of before, one of which is
0:18:39 > 0:18:41what my little brother's going to turn out like.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46It also made me think what Scotland's going to be like
0:18:46 > 0:18:49and how this might change.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Here's a bit of my letter.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55"Right now, I feel that Scotland's a bit like a family.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58"A group of people, though their opinions may differ,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00"still try to look after each other.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04"It's a strong family, Scotland, so I hope it will always stay this way.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07"I want to be happy and successful, so don't mess it up.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09"OK?"
0:19:15 > 0:19:17The letter that I've written is to myself in 20 years' time,
0:19:17 > 0:19:21so I'll be 35 by that time. When I read it,
0:19:21 > 0:19:26I'm hoping that everything's going all right for Scotland and myself.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Writing about it has really got me thinking more about it
0:19:29 > 0:19:32cos when I write it in words, it makes me think more.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34"Oh, wait. I never thought about that."
0:19:34 > 0:19:38"Dear me, I hope everything's all right in 20 years' time for us.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42"I just wanted to tell you what I'm thinking about at this time.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44"I hope that when you read this you're a teacher.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46"I hope that you're still close to your family.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49"All I can say is that whether we're independent or not,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52"it's the happiness of the Scottish people that really matters.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54"From your 15-year-old self."
0:19:57 > 0:20:01"A letter to my future self. I hope you're keeping well.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04"My greatest ambition is to break the generic conventions
0:20:04 > 0:20:08"with people with disabilities. I want to stand as a voice
0:20:08 > 0:20:11"for those who have been shunned in Scottish society
0:20:11 > 0:20:14"and therefore I want to be an MSP
0:20:14 > 0:20:17"and a proud liberal and prove that all people matter."
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Are we ready for this weekend?
0:20:31 > 0:20:32ALL: Yes!
0:20:32 > 0:20:36After a few days off, the cast are back and raring to go.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38This weekend, we've got a lot to do
0:20:38 > 0:20:41because what we've got to do this weekend is create a show, all right?
0:20:41 > 0:20:45This...is our set, OK?
0:20:45 > 0:20:48This is not the complete finished set. This is a mock-up of it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50The audience will be over there.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54What we need to do, before we start, is make sure everyone's ready
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and raring to go. So, how should we do that?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Warm up!
0:20:59 > 0:21:03MUSIC: "Hey Ya!" by OutKast
0:21:10 > 0:21:15After a vigorous warm up, it's straight to work.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19OK. What I'm going to ask you to do is one of you is going to start
0:21:19 > 0:21:21reading your letters to your partner and when I say change,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25the other person will then start reading their letter.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Fraser has asked the cast to swap letters with a partner
0:21:28 > 0:21:30and read aloud from the other person's letter.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33And three, two, one. Off you go
0:21:38 > 0:21:40I hope that by the time it's 2034/35,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42you've achieved your dream of...
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I hope I'm living in a place that I'm proud to call home.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Regardless of the outcome of the independence vote,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50the people of Scotland don't regret the vote.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53It's allowing all the participants to hear little bits
0:21:53 > 0:21:56or sometimes all of the letters of each other.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Do you have a job? Preferably one that you like...
0:22:00 > 0:22:03There's a really nice sense coming out from all the letters
0:22:03 > 0:22:08that they hope that Scotland will be a better, fairer, kinder society.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Feels like I'm writing to some other guy called Edan Hanson.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I think it actually helped me understand better.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20This whole referendum isn't really about Scotland as a whole alone,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22it's also about the individual person.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27It's so relevant for me right now because I'm at the stage where
0:22:27 > 0:22:29I'm going to leave school really soon
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and I'm already thinking about my near future,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36never mind 20 years' time when I'm going to be 37.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Dear me in 20 years' time,
0:22:41 > 0:22:43I hope you're successful in your career
0:22:43 > 0:22:45and you're still playing football.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47I hope you're a good father, have a lovely wife.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50And I hope that the Scottish culture I take great pride in
0:22:50 > 0:22:52remains virtually unchanged.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54My ambitions are for a truly fair nation.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57I've had type-one diabetes since age six
0:22:57 > 0:23:00so I'm really hoping I get cured in future.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04No matter what happens, I hope that Scotland shines and thrives.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I hope you're living the life you've always dreamed,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09even if I don't quite know what that is yet.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12You may be old and in your 30s, but don't forget...
0:23:12 > 0:23:14eat, sleep, rave, repeat.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30# I am the mountain
0:23:30 > 0:23:32# I am the sea
0:23:32 > 0:23:36# You can't take that away from me
0:23:36 > 0:23:38# I am the mountain
0:23:38 > 0:23:41# I am the sea
0:23:41 > 0:23:45# You can't take that away from me
0:23:45 > 0:23:47# You tear us apart
0:23:47 > 0:23:50# With all the things you don't like
0:23:50 > 0:23:52# You can't understand
0:23:52 > 0:23:55# That I won't leave
0:23:55 > 0:23:58# Living here
0:23:58 > 0:24:00# And then you find out
0:24:00 > 0:24:04# Where it all went wrong
0:24:04 > 0:24:06# I am the mountain
0:24:06 > 0:24:09# I am the sea
0:24:09 > 0:24:12# You can't take that away from me
0:24:12 > 0:24:14# I am the mountain
0:24:14 > 0:24:17# I am the sea
0:24:17 > 0:24:19# You can't take that away from me
0:24:19 > 0:24:22# I am the mountain. #
0:24:24 > 0:24:26APPLAUSE
0:24:29 > 0:24:34- Or we can say it alternately. - You can say the first two lines.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's Sunday morning of what's been a packed weekend
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and the cast have been tasked with writing sections of script
0:24:39 > 0:24:41for the first time.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Today what we're doing is we're trying to create
0:24:43 > 0:24:47the linking devices between all of the sections
0:24:47 > 0:24:49that we were working on yesterday.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Are you managing to put some of your ideas into this too?
0:24:52 > 0:24:55'The linking sections have been developed
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'through the questions that the young people have to ask themselves'
0:24:58 > 0:25:00in order to write their letters and really think about
0:25:00 > 0:25:03what they want for the future.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Fraser has asked two of the groups to focus on Scottish stereotypes.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12We were to do a rap or a rhyme
0:25:12 > 0:25:17celebrating or undermining stereotypes.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I just love the start of it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Basically, what we're doing is we're trying to write it
0:25:23 > 0:25:25in Scots dialect. It's quite...
0:25:25 > 0:25:28We thought it would be quite easy, but it's not at all.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29Stereotypes are really funny.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Some people are like, "We're not like that. We're not like that."
0:25:32 > 0:25:35But you can't deny that they're not funny.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Is it like...
0:25:37 > 0:25:41C-O-O or would you still spell it "cow" and just say "coo"?
0:25:41 > 0:25:47- I'm proud of Scotland, my home.- OK.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50The main thing is ginger hair, tartan, all the obvious things.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57Fraser gave a task to acknowledge the stereotypes
0:25:57 > 0:26:02and highlight the personal facts about Scotland.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05Writing and rehearsing over,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08it's time to tread the boards and share their work.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Us Scots, we're an odd wee bunch
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Annoy us and you'll get a punch.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Some people may think of us
0:26:17 > 0:26:21bagpipe-playing Stuart-tartan wearing ceilidh-dancing gingers.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25And now we have the opportunity to make it what we want it to be.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28We're kilt-wearing gingers who love Irn-Bru
0:26:28 > 0:26:30roaming the fields with a Highland "coo".
0:26:32 > 0:26:35Brave William Wallace.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Freedom!
0:26:38 > 0:26:41ALL: It should be a country for the people.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51While the cast have been rehearsing, the stage management team
0:26:51 > 0:26:53have been hard at work on the set.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56A glimpse of the finished set starts to make the show
0:26:56 > 0:26:58seem a reality for the first time.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01It makes me really excited to do the show now,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04now that I know what we are doing it on.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07So excited. It makes me go, "Wow."
0:27:07 > 0:27:09We have got the hatches and things.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Yeah, the week's been really good.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15It's just getting really close with everyone
0:27:15 > 0:27:18and knowing them better and just getting all the scenes done.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19It's really good.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24With a hard weekend's work under their belts
0:27:24 > 0:27:28and Christmas on the horizon, a celebration is in order.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33MUSIC: "Wake Me Up" by Avicii
0:27:36 > 0:27:38SHOUTING AND WHOOPING
0:27:51 > 0:27:54ALL SHOUT: Merry Christmas!
0:28:04 > 0:28:0715-year-old musician Amina is at home in Edinburgh
0:28:07 > 0:28:11preparing for Christmas with Mum, Rosie.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15In a few days' time, Amina will celebrate her 16th birthday
0:28:15 > 0:28:18which has got her thinking about the future.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24I think the main differences between adulthood and teenagehood are,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27as an adult, you have more freedom of speech,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30more opportunities to decide what goes on in your life
0:28:30 > 0:28:34and in your country and you can make a difference much easier,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37decide what happens, where you're going and your direction in life.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42It will be really exciting to see if my dreams for what
0:28:42 > 0:28:46I want to achieve in life match what actually does happen.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Amina's ambition is to become a professional musician
0:28:53 > 0:28:55and to be part of the Scottish traditional music scene.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59The things that make up my Scotland are language, our culture,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02our traditions, our music in particular, our food,
0:29:02 > 0:29:03our people, our country,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06our landscape. Everything all rolled into one, really.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Traditional music seems very lovely. Everyone's so friendly.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Everyone knows everyone, You can just go along to a gig,
0:29:14 > 0:29:18you'll recognise loads of people you know. It's so lovely. It's really nice.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32It's the 27th of December
0:29:32 > 0:29:35and the young cast have had three days off for Christmas.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39With just seven full rehearsal days left before the final performance,
0:29:39 > 0:29:40there's a long way to go.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45With 22 members in the cast
0:29:45 > 0:29:47and an ever-growing number of bit parts,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50wardrobe supervisor Nicola has her work cut out.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53I think we have seven or eight days until show time.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56We've been told that we're looking for a haggis costume
0:29:56 > 0:29:59and other things will involve...
0:29:59 > 0:30:01I think there's a lab, a laboratory,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04so there might be some white coats involved.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10This is the thing with the devised piece. I can go so far with it
0:30:10 > 0:30:15but until they devise a bit more I'm stuck waiting to know what it is.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20Writer David has some news
0:30:20 > 0:30:23that just might make Nicola's job a bit easier.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25The full script has now been sent off.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28We're waiting for it to start printing.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31and then we'll start casting.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33With good progress behind the scenes,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36musical director Anna is working with the cast to finalise
0:30:36 > 0:30:39an alternative version of a familiar song.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42Haggis, whisky, shortbread too.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44Scotland the Brave.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Scots or Jocks, we're all the same...
0:30:47 > 0:30:49But there can be no show without a script,
0:30:49 > 0:30:53and things in the office aren't exactly going to plan.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- What are we going to do? - I don't know.- It's Christmas.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- There's no paper. - There's no paper anywhere.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- We can't do any scripts.- Aaagh!
0:31:00 > 0:31:02THEY SING
0:31:02 > 0:31:06We are getting more paper delivered. Are you actually filming?
0:31:14 > 0:31:17With paper sourced and the scripts finally printed, it's time
0:31:17 > 0:31:20for the teenagers to learn which parts they will play in the show.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23So the first characters to be cast.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26The character of Shona will be played by Alana.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30The character of the Texan American will be played by Zack.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33The stage we're at now is we need to block the play as quickly as we can.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Usually, you would have a week or so to do that,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39but we're on in a week so we have to do this in days.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41The Tester will be played by James.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47And Andy Murray makes an appearance so he will be played by Craig.
0:31:47 > 0:31:48Haggis will be Amina.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50THEY LAUGH
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Mrs Scotland will be Amy.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57The Coatbridge Bank will be Zack.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I've got to do a Welsh accent.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02I've also got to do a Texan
0:32:02 > 0:32:06and I've also got to do a Coatbridge accent.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- How are you going to practise haggising?- I'm not sure.
0:32:09 > 0:32:10You can't really.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Just eating loads of haggis and hoping that I'll turn into one.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Now, the Coatbridge and the Texan I might just get away with
0:32:16 > 0:32:18but a Welsh?
0:32:18 > 0:32:21So, so proud to be Mrs Scotland.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24It's my calling in life.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29I'm a bit disappointed in the parts I got but it's OK.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31You could start a petition if you like.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34I would like to, I would like to start a petition.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36A polite disagreement.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- But unfortunately, this is not a democracy.- Oh!- Yes.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43There's other points where it's direct to the audience, isn't it?
0:32:43 > 0:32:47Parts allocated, it's time to knuckle down and start rehearsing
0:32:47 > 0:32:48the play's first big scene.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50ALL: What is Scotland?
0:32:50 > 0:32:55The guidebooks go on about the hills and lochs and history and art
0:32:55 > 0:32:58but there's got to be more to it than that.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01The subject of this scene, Scottish identity,
0:33:01 > 0:33:03is something the cast has plenty to say about.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06It doesn't really matter, your accent
0:33:06 > 0:33:09or, like, what colour you are,
0:33:09 > 0:33:10what race you are.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15To be Scottish, you simply have to like Scotland.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19All the different kinds of cultures, languages, traditions
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- and all of them welcome.- Yes!
0:33:22 > 0:33:27The stereotypical Scottish person is ginger, freckly, blue eyes,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30pale skin and obviously I'm not that type of person.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32I do count myself as Scottish
0:33:32 > 0:33:35because it's the culture here that I've grown up with.
0:33:35 > 0:33:36I've always been here.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41- Gingers.- Deep-fried Mars bars. - Community spirit.- The people.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48I think, to be Scottish, is just be happy about the fact you're Scottish
0:33:48 > 0:33:50and embrace the different aspects of it.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53No matter how many landmarks or resources we have,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55none of it would mean anything
0:33:55 > 0:33:58if there was no-one left to use or enjoy all of it.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03British people are, like, meant to be posh and fancy.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05You know, tea and crumpets,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09and then there's us and we're just like Irn-Bru and shortbread.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10Food.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13THEY ALL LAUGH
0:34:14 > 0:34:16If someone said, "Are you Scottish?" I'd say yes.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19If someone said, "Are you British?" I'd say yes.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Imagine what it would be like if the whole country was empty.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25Not one single person in the whole of Scotland.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27I know I don't sound particularly Scottish and that's fine,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31but I'm very much Scottish and I'm proud of being Scottish.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34THEY SING "SCOTLAND THE BRAVE"
0:34:39 > 0:34:42Well done, well done.
0:34:42 > 0:34:43Time to go home.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45THEY CHEER
0:34:53 > 0:34:57It's Sunday morning and, with just a week till curtain up,
0:34:57 > 0:35:01the weary cast arrive for another full day of rehearsals.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- Edan? Great. So, Alice, are you here.- I'm here.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- Great. Rosie?- Here.
0:35:06 > 0:35:11It is a week today which is a laugh but I'm quite nervous.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16Now is grind time, it's now going to be study the lines, learn them,
0:35:16 > 0:35:17get confident and give 100%.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21Excellent.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26Because it's such a short period of time, there's always going to be
0:35:26 > 0:35:29hiccups or something but I do think it's going very well.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32It's tiring but I'm really enjoying it.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Last night, Fraser and David set the cast some homework,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41and it seems not everyone is ready to hand it in.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44No dogs have eaten it yet, no?
0:35:44 > 0:35:48We're already running way behind because people didn't do what
0:35:48 > 0:35:49they were asked to do.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51That took an extra 15-20 minutes.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53'I had to just have a wee pep talk with them
0:35:53 > 0:35:58'because the more lethargic they get, the slower everything's going to be
0:35:58 > 0:36:02'so we just have to keep the energy up and keep positive about it.'
0:36:02 > 0:36:04It'll be fine.
0:36:04 > 0:36:09If I had played like you had just sang, it would have went like this.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12And it's not just Fraser who's putting the pressure on.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Anna's not happy with their work today either.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Do you believe that I will survive?
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Show me the sass and the drama in the eyes.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24Show me this time that you WILL survive.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31Experiences like this are good because it brings together
0:36:31 > 0:36:36young people in a space where they can feel like they're valued
0:36:36 > 0:36:39and their opinions matter, whereas I think more on the outside world
0:36:39 > 0:36:43it's more, "Oh, you're younger, sit down, shut up."
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Even though we've got the biggest stake in what actually
0:36:45 > 0:36:47happens in the referendum.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53All that stuff will be affecting our daily lives whether Scotland's
0:36:53 > 0:36:58independent or not, whether we will have free tuition
0:36:58 > 0:37:01and all that stuff will directly affect us.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'I don't want to think in 30 years' time that I wasn't
0:37:04 > 0:37:06'well enough informed to make a good decision.'
0:37:06 > 0:37:10But I think I have been on a journey and I've changed many times
0:37:10 > 0:37:15between pro-independence and against independence.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18# Did you think I'd lay down and die? Oh, no, not I... #
0:37:18 > 0:37:20The front, and that's the back.
0:37:20 > 0:37:21You'll see that there's a little net there.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23If you can try
0:37:23 > 0:37:26and catch your hair in the little net that would be really super.
0:37:26 > 0:37:27With the casting announcements made,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31costume designer Nicola has a lot more information to go on.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34But with scripted rehearsals still in the early stages,
0:37:34 > 0:37:38it will be some time before all the costumes can be ready.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Characters don't necessarily have full costumes
0:37:41 > 0:37:44but they have something that represents their character.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47For example Rabbie's got a wig.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51One of the more elaborate costumes is for Amina's haggis outfit.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Cool, OK!
0:37:53 > 0:37:57SCOTTISH JIG PLAYS
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Do you think you're one of those actors that needs a costume
0:38:09 > 0:38:10- in order to feel...- I think so.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13I don't really like haggis that much but I like the smell of it
0:38:13 > 0:38:17and I don't smell of that at the moment which is a shame.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- Right if you want to go behind there and get changed?- Right.- Cheers.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Zack thought his character's accents were going to be his biggest
0:38:26 > 0:38:29challenge, but he hadn't banked on a costume that would make him
0:38:29 > 0:38:30larger than life.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34- Now you're a man with presence on the stage.- Oh, a lot of presence(!)
0:38:43 > 0:38:44I look like Rick Perry.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48MUSIC: THEME FROM THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Texas!
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Can I show you a Texan?
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- How's that feel?- It feels all right. - Do you feel that you're Texan?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I'm from Texas!
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Oh, lordy, lordy!
0:39:10 > 0:39:12LAUGHTER
0:39:15 > 0:39:19What we're doing is, we're doing the timeline today which is
0:39:19 > 0:39:22a section of the play that makes us
0:39:22 > 0:39:26look at how we've got to where we're at with this referendum debate.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30So we look at key events that the young people have identified from
0:39:30 > 0:39:32just before the Union of the Crowns.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Using music and short sketches, the scene creates a montage,
0:39:38 > 0:39:40illustrating big moments in history.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44It's 200 metres to the end and Mo Farah's in the lead!
0:39:44 > 0:39:45And he's won!
0:39:45 > 0:39:48THEY CHEER
0:39:48 > 0:39:53# Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile. #
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Good. That's better.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00So, can we go from financial crisis? Is that all right? Great.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03'At the start, a lot of them didn't feel they were informed enough.'
0:40:03 > 0:40:09But, yet, when they were encouraged to research and find out about
0:40:09 > 0:40:14the debate, they are really energised and enthused by it.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16The final moment in the timeline is the subject the whole play
0:40:16 > 0:40:20hinges on, and one that's never far from the young actors' minds.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23ALL: 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25We don't know that much about politics yet
0:40:25 > 0:40:29but I believe that we're definitely a generation that learns fast
0:40:29 > 0:40:32and that we want to find out about it more.
0:40:32 > 0:40:38God save me from the love of these people. Animals! Savages!
0:40:38 > 0:40:40When my dad or my mum's talking about it now
0:40:40 > 0:40:45I can actually input into the conversation and sometimes
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I even know more than them about it which is quite nice.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Yeah, I've learned a lot of stuff.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55# God save the Queen. #
0:40:55 > 0:40:59I'll be able to look back at this in the future and say, yes,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I did contribute to this decision
0:41:01 > 0:41:04no matter what the outcome of the actual referendum.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11In respects to that, it's working really well.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15It's clear that some of you have done some homework, which is good,
0:41:15 > 0:41:16and learned those lines and things.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19I feel that a lot of the characters that we're seeing
0:41:19 > 0:41:20aren't characters yet.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23I just need you to trust yourselves and go bigger with it
0:41:23 > 0:41:25and try out stuff, OK?
0:41:25 > 0:41:28If you do something that's really funny we'll laugh and we'll move on.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30That's fine, OK?
0:41:30 > 0:41:34But I would rather see you try things than give us nothing.
0:41:35 > 0:41:36It's been a hard day,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39but, in spite of that, the cast are still feeling positive.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43It's been tiring but it's been as fun as it has been.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47This is the harder bit but I think once we start knowing our lines
0:41:47 > 0:41:50it's really going to get up on its feet and it's exciting.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53We're asking a lot of them being in here over their Christmas
0:41:53 > 0:41:54and New Year holidays.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57They're all showing up even when they've got a bit of a flu or a cold.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00They're all still coming in.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03They're working really hard and they're just really dedicated.
0:42:03 > 0:42:04It's fantastic.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12The weary young actors head home to learn lines
0:42:12 > 0:42:15and celebrate Hogmanay with their families.
0:42:29 > 0:42:3215-year-old Amy lives in Glasgow and has been coming to her local
0:42:32 > 0:42:35community centre in Royston since she was 11.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39We're at the Spire and I've brought you here
0:42:39 > 0:42:43because I started my first ever drama classes here.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48What I'm enjoying about it is it's
0:42:48 > 0:42:53so nice to just have a change of what kind of drama you do.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56It's nice to learn a lot about something else
0:42:56 > 0:42:58cos I know something about politics,
0:42:58 > 0:43:03but I wasn't really too sure about it.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05As the youngest member of the group, she will just miss
0:43:05 > 0:43:09out on being able to vote, but has pretty clear views on the subject.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13I don't think there's anything wrong with the way we're working now
0:43:13 > 0:43:17so I don't see the point in trying to change it.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21I think Royston is nice enough,
0:43:21 > 0:43:28but some people kind of make it a little less nicer to live in.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31If Scotland did become independent, it could go either way.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36Royston could be all done up and become a great place to be
0:43:36 > 0:43:39or it could just be forgotten about.
0:43:53 > 0:43:56It's 2nd January, 2014.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59With only three days to go, the cast
0:43:59 > 0:44:03arrive at the Scottish Youth Theatre for the final leg of rehearsals.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07- Happy new year, everyone. - ALL: Happy new year!
0:44:07 > 0:44:11MUSIC: "Scream & Shout" by Will.i.am feat. Britney Spears.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16Great. Ready for some star jumps?
0:44:16 > 0:44:18This is the point where we're starting to gear up ready
0:44:18 > 0:44:20to move into theatre so we're getting to the point
0:44:20 > 0:44:23where we need to just be running it with these young people so that
0:44:23 > 0:44:25they feel confident what they're doing.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27It's a really exciting stage to be at
0:44:27 > 0:44:30but time is ticking
0:44:30 > 0:44:32and the game is getting harder.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37During the New Year break, David's been hard at work on the script
0:44:37 > 0:44:40and has decided that some significant cuts need to be made.
0:44:40 > 0:44:42Yes, that's much neater.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44It's down to Fraser to break the news to the cast.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47OK, can everyone pay attention, please?
0:44:47 > 0:44:49So the first change is on page five
0:44:49 > 0:44:53and it's in the undermining stereotypes poem.
0:44:55 > 0:44:58The verse - "All true Scotsmen love haggis and whisky,
0:44:58 > 0:45:00"and the wild Celtic women who tend to the frisky.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02"Hardcore and mental and defo totes tough,
0:45:02 > 0:45:04"you've not had a weekend if you're not feeling rough."
0:45:04 > 0:45:06That verse is cut.
0:45:06 > 0:45:07THEY GASP
0:45:07 > 0:45:09I personally feel quite good because I don't have to change any
0:45:09 > 0:45:13of my lines which is good because I just learned them off script.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16While the cast get ready to do a run-through of the show,
0:45:16 > 0:45:20the stage management team are in the studio theatre for the first time.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23With opening night fast approaching, there's a lot to do.
0:45:23 > 0:45:27The first thing really is for the lighting designer or technician
0:45:27 > 0:45:30to rig the lights.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34So, while they're working on the lights,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I'm putting together the framework for the set.
0:45:48 > 0:45:51Back in the rehearsal rooms, the run-through's gone well
0:45:51 > 0:45:53and the cast are reflecting on how
0:45:53 > 0:45:56they feel as they approach their final days together.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59I'm getting really sad that we only have two rehearsals left
0:45:59 > 0:46:02and then the show and then it's all over.
0:46:02 > 0:46:03THEY SHUSH HER
0:46:03 > 0:46:07- No, we have to face this, right? - Not now!- We can't just push it away.
0:46:07 > 0:46:08I'm a bit emotional again.
0:46:08 > 0:46:12I'm excited to actually get into the studio now
0:46:12 > 0:46:18and actually see how it's all going to take shape.
0:46:20 > 0:46:22The cast are heading home for the evening,
0:46:22 > 0:46:26but the working day is far from over for the SYT team.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28Before they can be ready for tomorrow's technical
0:46:28 > 0:46:30rehearsal with the cast, every lighting,
0:46:30 > 0:46:34sound and audio-visual cue must be ready to go.
0:46:34 > 0:46:38Do you just want to show me what's up there and what we've got?
0:46:38 > 0:46:40It could be a long night.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49The following day, the technical team are running behind
0:46:49 > 0:46:52so Fraser makes the decision to move the morning's rehearsal.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55The theatre's not ready, so to make best use of our time,
0:46:55 > 0:46:57we're trying to get used to the quick costume changes,
0:46:57 > 0:47:00so we're doing it out here where we have a bit of space.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03No, darling, all you have is the wig.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05Vocally, this will be good for the cast
0:47:05 > 0:47:08because they're going to have to up their volumes, slow down,
0:47:08 > 0:47:11all the notes we've been giving them in the small rehearsal room.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13Never forget the real face inside.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16ALL: The face of the nation that soon must decide.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22I was the legend of Twerker!
0:47:23 > 0:47:25Isn't that just super?
0:47:25 > 0:47:28The haggis!
0:47:28 > 0:47:31THEY SCREAM
0:47:31 > 0:47:33The first dress rehearsal has come as a bit of a shock and the
0:47:33 > 0:47:37reality of just how tricky the show might be is beginning to hit home.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42I don't even have a costume change and I was just getting stressed.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46The haggis costume is a nightmare.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49I really did not know what side of the stage I was supposed to be on
0:47:49 > 0:47:50at the time and I did not know when
0:47:50 > 0:47:53I was meant to change into my haggis costume so it was really hard.
0:47:53 > 0:47:55Most of our bits went well except for the fact
0:47:55 > 0:47:59I have this massive, ginormous phone of which I've never had to
0:47:59 > 0:48:02use before and I was like, "Where does this go?"
0:48:23 > 0:48:26After two days of problems behind the scenes,
0:48:26 > 0:48:29final preparations are under way for the technical dress rehearsal
0:48:29 > 0:48:32and Fraser is anxious to get started.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35It's quarter to seven, so we're only in until nine tonight
0:48:35 > 0:48:37so we need to get a move on.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41In the girls' changing rooms,
0:48:41 > 0:48:45the focus is on last-minute preparations.
0:48:45 > 0:48:48While the atmosphere in the boys' changing rooms
0:48:48 > 0:48:49is a little different.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51LAUGHTER
0:48:53 > 0:48:55Why is he laughing?
0:48:55 > 0:48:57This is the boys' changing room.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01You've been here and you've seen how focused we are on this play.
0:49:06 > 0:49:09I am Scotland's First Minister.
0:49:11 > 0:49:14You know how everyone says they open their mouth
0:49:14 > 0:49:16- when they put mascara on?- I do. - I don't.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21I think everybody is a bit gutted for the fact that
0:49:21 > 0:49:23they couldn't go in and get into the studio straightaway
0:49:23 > 0:49:27so I think it's a bit scary knowing that we've only got today, tonight,
0:49:27 > 0:49:30to get it good.
0:49:30 > 0:49:35We are about to move into our tech for you lot,
0:49:35 > 0:49:39but it's mainly to get all of the cues correct, OK?
0:49:41 > 0:49:45The delays caused by technical problems have set things back badly.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50By home time, rehearsals have barely reached the halfway mark
0:49:50 > 0:49:52and the cast are beginning to feel nervous.
0:49:52 > 0:49:57It's not going too well. We're only at the timeline, so...yeah.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01And there's going to be an audience, like, tomorrow!
0:50:01 > 0:50:04The next morning it's straight to the stage to re-start rehearsals.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10# Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive. #
0:50:10 > 0:50:13But it's not long before the first mishap.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20- Halt!- What did you hurt?- My shin.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Imogen has hurt her leg
0:50:24 > 0:50:27but is far more concerned about how rehearsals are going.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29There are still things going wrong.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32The guitars aren't being amped, the mics aren't on.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Just everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38# Although they may be parted
0:50:38 > 0:50:42# There is still a chance That they will see
0:50:42 > 0:50:46# There will be an answer Let it be. #
0:50:46 > 0:50:50Right guys. Thank you very, very much.
0:50:50 > 0:50:53The next time you do this it's in front of an audience.
0:50:53 > 0:50:57It is a dress rehearsal, OK, but I want you to get through it.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00The technical team will keep up with you.
0:51:00 > 0:51:01Everyone is working their hardest.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04Everyone is trying their best to get everything up and running.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06It's just frustrating.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11With just one last rehearsal left before the big night,
0:51:11 > 0:51:14the cast set their props and ready themselves for the dress rehearsal,
0:51:14 > 0:51:17which they'll perform in front of a small audience.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21No, you're still not going high enough. Go up here and then tie it.
0:51:21 > 0:51:25It'll be nice to have a good practice with our first kind of mini audience.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Onwards and upwards!
0:51:31 > 0:51:34Oh, brilliant!
0:51:34 > 0:51:38# Now I'm going home. #
0:51:39 > 0:51:42After a difficult couple of days, the dress rehearsal goes well
0:51:42 > 0:51:47and the cast's confidence is restored before the big night.
0:51:47 > 0:51:49But do they feel their involvement in the show has helped to
0:51:49 > 0:51:53prepare them as they approach their first ever vote?
0:51:53 > 0:51:55I feel like I'm more informed on making my decision now
0:51:55 > 0:51:57because everyone here's got such strong opinions.
0:51:57 > 0:52:02I came in with an opinion of what I thought I was going to vote
0:52:02 > 0:52:05and I've been swayed about now.
0:52:05 > 0:52:07The more I think about it,
0:52:07 > 0:52:11the more I think how different we are to anywhere else in the world
0:52:11 > 0:52:14and I think if we were independent we could use that to our advantage.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18I would vote no, because the uncertainty factor is
0:52:18 > 0:52:19the clincher for me.
0:52:26 > 0:52:29After three weeks of hard work, the hour is almost upon them
0:52:29 > 0:52:34and friends and family arrive to share their big moment.
0:52:34 > 0:52:36Jump in, jump out and whoo!
0:52:36 > 0:52:37Before the show gets under way,
0:52:37 > 0:52:39there's just time for a quick warm up
0:52:39 > 0:52:42and a few last words of encouragement from Fraser.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Really incredibly proud that, the past couple of days,
0:52:45 > 0:52:48when it's all been crumbling and going a bit wrong elsewhere,
0:52:48 > 0:52:50you guys have kept it together.
0:52:50 > 0:52:51We can't thank you enough for that.
0:52:51 > 0:52:54- What time is it? ALL:- It's show time!
0:52:54 > 0:52:56- When's the hour? ALL:- Now's the hour!
0:52:56 > 0:53:00Go on and be bloody brilliant! Off you go, thank you. Good luck.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22We were set a task.
0:53:22 > 0:53:24We were asked to write a letter to our future selves.
0:53:24 > 0:53:26- ALL:- 20 years from now.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28To speak to who we think will be.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31- And offer them our dreams and our fears.- Our great good wishes.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35- And our best of hopes.- Our words of caution and the canniest of advice.
0:53:35 > 0:53:38- Not just for ourselves.- But also for our country.- For our future.
0:53:38 > 0:53:40- And one of the many possible Scotlands...- ..that might...
0:53:40 > 0:53:42- ..in time...- ..come to be.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- Out of the writing of those letters...- Out of our fun...
0:53:45 > 0:53:47- And new-found friends... - Out of our hard work...
0:53:47 > 0:53:49- And even harder thinking... - Out of our shared experiences...
0:53:49 > 0:53:51On all those dark evenings and early mornings...
0:53:51 > 0:53:54Out of all that has come this show.
0:53:54 > 0:53:56ALL: That we all want to share with you today.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59The main reason behind doing this piece was to get people
0:53:59 > 0:54:03thinking about it not just to pick a side, any side, but actually to
0:54:03 > 0:54:04look into it and to think about it a bit more deeply.
0:54:04 > 0:54:072000, the Iraq war, the war on terror.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16# Her face is a map of the world Is a map of the world
0:54:16 > 0:54:20# You can see she's a beautiful girl She's a beautiful girl. #
0:54:20 > 0:54:23But out of that obsession with sport,
0:54:23 > 0:54:26a strange anomaly occurred in the Scottish gene pool.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30After centuries of glorious failure,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33a new sporting warrior arose.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35AUDIENCE LAUGHS
0:54:38 > 0:54:40Hello.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42LAUGHTER
0:54:42 > 0:54:45I'm the charismatic Andy Murray!
0:54:46 > 0:54:49PHONES RING
0:54:51 > 0:54:53Aye, what do you want?
0:54:53 > 0:54:57This is the United States Federal Reserve. Now, Scottie...
0:54:57 > 0:54:59- Can I call you Scottie? - No, you bloody cannae!
0:54:59 > 0:55:01LAUGHTER
0:55:01 > 0:55:03They've all grown throughout this process in confidence,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05especially about the subject matter
0:55:05 > 0:55:08and hopefully feel a bit more empowered to go out
0:55:08 > 0:55:09and find the answers.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13We ask serious questions and all we get is rubbish from the pair of you.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17- How come? That's a very good question.- We want answers.
0:55:17 > 0:55:19We've given you the answers in the white paper.
0:55:19 > 0:55:20Toilet paper more like!
0:55:20 > 0:55:25# May he sedation shush
0:55:25 > 0:55:29# He's like a torrent's rush
0:55:29 > 0:55:33# Rebellious Scots to crush
0:55:33 > 0:55:38# God save the Queen. #
0:55:38 > 0:55:40THEY SCREAM
0:55:53 > 0:55:56ALL: Letters from our future self.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59I hope Scotland is still a beautiful and multicultural place
0:55:59 > 0:56:02that no other place in the world could imitate.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05I want to live in a Scotland which supports equal rights
0:56:05 > 0:56:10and can continue to flourish as a small country with big ideas.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13I want to be proud to say that I am Scottish.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16A vote is a letter to our future selves.
0:56:16 > 0:56:21It is a promissory note about the kind of country we want to live in.
0:56:21 > 0:56:25And about the price we're willing to pay to make that dream come true.
0:56:25 > 0:56:28- Be clear on what you want for Scotland.- And yourself.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32ALL: Because the future of our nation is in our hands.
0:56:39 > 0:56:45# I don't know if you can see the changes that have come over me...
0:56:45 > 0:56:50The depth of some of the questions that they were trying to address,
0:56:50 > 0:56:54they covered such a range of stuff.
0:56:56 > 0:57:00I thought it was wonderful. Really, really wonderful.
0:57:00 > 0:57:06# That's the reason why I seem so far away today...
0:57:06 > 0:57:09They picked a lot of different opinions across.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11It was really interesting
0:57:11 > 0:57:16and it makes you think twice about the independent vote.
0:57:16 > 0:57:19# Caledonia, you're calling me
0:57:19 > 0:57:22# Now I'm going home. #
0:57:24 > 0:57:28APPLAUSE
0:57:47 > 0:57:51Genuinely one of the best experiences of my life.
0:57:51 > 0:57:56I've learned loads about myself and others while I've been here.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59I've always been open-minded, but it made you expand.
0:57:59 > 0:58:03It made me listen to a bit more from the opposite side as well.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07I'm so, so proud of what we've achieved.
0:58:07 > 0:58:11I don't want to be missing all my Aberdonian and my Edinburgh
0:58:11 > 0:58:13and my Dundee people.
0:58:13 > 0:58:17And I'm going to cry again!
0:58:17 > 0:58:20We had all of these different personalities,
0:58:20 > 0:58:22just bursting out and I just thought it was great to have them all
0:58:22 > 0:58:28in the same room together focusing on creating a thing for Scotland.
0:58:34 > 0:58:36If I was asked today, I would definitely vote yes.
0:58:36 > 0:58:39- I would vote no. - I'd vote yes.- I'd vote no.
0:58:39 > 0:58:44- I'd definitely vote yes.- I would vote no.- I intend to vote yes.
0:58:44 > 0:58:47- I'd vote no.- I'd vote yes.
0:58:47 > 0:58:51Vote yes or no because you feel that will make Scotland a better
0:58:51 > 0:58:53place for everyone to live in.