GREENOCK hosted musical legend Andrew Lloyd-Webber today as the composer attended a ceremony at the new Beacon Arts Centre, which is under construction at East India Harbour.

Lord Lloyd-Webber’s foundation awarded a £100,000 grant to the centre’s youth theatre project last July.

He was at the building’s topping-out ceremony, a significant milestone for the project before it enters its final phase when the joiners start to move in for the internal fit-out.

Afterwards Lord Lloyd-Webber conducted private auditions in Greenock for the new ITV show Superstar. A small, selected number of young people from the Inverclyde and West of Scotland area auditioned. Superstar is Lloyd-Webber's search to find a performer to play the lead role in hit rock show Jesus Christ Superstar.

Elliott McKelvie, chairman of Greenock Arts Guild Ltd, pictured above, left, said: “The topping out of The Beacon marks a hugely important step in a project which has taken eight years to develop. We are now at the final stages of fulfilling our vision for a vibrant, inclusive focal point for arts activities in Inverclyde and beyond. The Beacon is a wonderful example of how a community can pull resources to deliver a building which will be a prominent, new asset for the Scottish arts scene. Our website, re-launching in early March, will contain further images, videos and fundraising information about The Beacon as we approach the opening in summer 2012.”

Madeleine Lloyd Webber, trustee of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, said: “The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation is passionate about young people and giving opportunities to them within the arts.  The Youth Theatre project at the Beacon Arts Centre aims to provide the young people in this area an outlet for self expression and to encourage life skills using theatre practices. Through our donation, we hope to make a positive difference in Inverclyde that will be felt for generations to come.”

Michael Graham, executive chairman of GRAHAM Group, said: “GRAHAM Construction has been working hard to create the steel and concrete frame of The Beacon, which features an ensemble of balconies and a unique upper circle. The stage area forms part of the tower and the curtains will be pulled straight upwards to the tallest point of the building, standing at 20 metres.

"Once completed, the theatre will be entirely enclosed in glass, with certain elevations being internally illuminated to create a striking facade. The building is really taking shape and standing in the auditorium looking at the stage it is clear to see The Beacon will be a spectacular venue for Greenock Arts Guild and the people of Inverclyde.”

Inverclyde Council Leader Councillor Stephen McCabe said: "This a significant milestone in the construction of our new community arts centre and I am delighted the project is well along the road to completion. The new Beacon is set to be just that - a shining light for the arts in Inverclyde and beyond, and to become a focal point for excellence on Greenock's rejuvenated waterfront."

The Beacon is expected to be one of the finest medium-sized arts centres in the UK. It will house a 500-seat main auditorium, a 130-seat studio theatre, three large rehearsal rooms and a bistro with views over the River Clyde. Its objectives include working with young people from socially challenged backgrounds, broadening participation in the arts and developing the employment prospects of people who have suffered mental health problems.