Cons in anti-bigotry act.

INMATES at Barlinnie prison could get acting lessons to help them put on an anti-sectarian play, it was revealed yesterday.

Prisoners at the Glasgow jail were treated to a performance of Des Dillon's play Singing I'm No Billy He's A Tim last month.

Now jail chiefs are considering an offer by the playwright to stage their own production.

Speaking at the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh, where the play is currently running, Dillon said the proposal had been discussed with prison authorities.

Dillon, 49, said: "They seem very keen and I know they are thinking of taking this forward.

"The idea is that the inmates would play the parts of the Celtic and Rangers fans, with one of the wardens as the screw.

"A team of us would get together, rehearse the play and then perform it in the jail. I'm not sure it will end sectarianism but it will make them think about it." The plot sees a Celtic fan and a Rangers supporter locked up together during an Old Firm derby and becoming reconciled.

A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: "This is the sort of thing they could do.

"But it does take a big effort to put something like this on in the jail and it's a case of getting all the schedules together."

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WRITER: Des