Stage is set for biggest and best Capital talent test yet

THE city's largest concert hall will play host to the glittering Edinburgh's Got Talent finale this year.

The move to the Playhouse will give contestants the chance to perform on Edinburgh's most prestigious stage and ensure the talent contest continues to attract big audiences.

The 3000-seater venue was chosen due to the Assembly Rooms' closure for refurbishment and has been graced by Sting, Queen, U2, Stevie Wonder and Elton John, among others.

Edinburgh's Got Talent, which was launched by the Evening News and Forth One in 2009, has so far seen two winners crowned and many others go on to be sought-after acts across the Capital and further afield.

Gary Roden, general manager of the Playhouse, said he was thrilled that the big event was heading to the venue.

He said: "We are very proud to be part of Edinburgh's Got Talent and to be working with the Evening News on this exciting event.

"We are thrilled to be able to give local talent the chance to perform on our world-famous stage, shared by some of the biggest names in the industry."

In November, city hairdresser Gavin Blackie overcame his nerves to triumph at the end of a nail-biting finale. The 27-year-old saw off competition from Jack Robertson, 14, from Liberton, and Dunedin Dance Academy, from Rock Highland, Clermiston.

In 2009, the talented Haughey McAuley Academy of Irish Dance emerged as the first champions of the competition.

Radio Forth's station director Cathy Kirk said: "Radio Forth is delighted to be working with the Evening News again on Edinburgh's Got Talent.

"This is the third year we've been involved with the event and have watched it go from strength to strength. The fact that it's at the Playhouse is a great indicator of how popular Edinburgh's Got Talent is."

Tom Little, editor of the Evening News, added: "Edinburgh's Got Talent has been an enormous success. It offers local talent of all types a terrific platform and that platform will be even bigger and better at the Playhouse, which is one of the Capital's crown jewels and will make the perfect stage for this annual extravaganza."

Tickets will go on sale in July, and the call for competition entries begins in August.

The winner of October's final will receive 1000 and will perform at the glittering Radio Forth Awards in November.