IT IS one of the most controversial wars of the 21st century.

Debate over the Iraq war have raged now for 10 years, and don't looking like stopping any time soon.

The award-winning Black Watch, returning to Glasgow's SECC, moves beyond the politics, to look at the true story of the Scottish boys on the frontline and the history of their now disbanded regiment.

The latest production of the award-winning drama opens next Thursday, and Glasgow actor Stephen McCole, who plays three parts, including First Minister Alex Salmond, said the cast were looking forward to bringing the show home to Scotland.

He said: "It is definitely more nervous performing at home.

"A lot of the boys have done it in the SECC before and they are like, 'it is crazy, the Scottish audiences really get behind it, they are there with you every second of the way'. It also means the boys get to do it in a really strong Scottish accent.

"I don't get to do a strong Scottish accent at any point, unless you count Alex Salmond, which is not really that strong.

"I'm looking forward to doing it at home, it is nerve-racking but it should be great, it should be fun."

A global success which has played to packed houses in Washington and Chicago in the US and Seoul in South Korea, Black Watch tells the story of young Scottish soldiers fighting in Iraq, set against the impending break up of their regiment.

Based on interviews conducted by Gregory Burke with former soldiers who served in Iraq, the play reveals what it means to be part of the legendary Scottish regiment, what it means to be part of the 'war on terror', and what it means to make the journey home again.

Stephen, 39, from the South Side, said it "demasked" the Iraq war by providing a personal insight into the lives of the men on the ground.

He said: "Regardless of the subject matter, it is an enormously engaging piece of theatre, you cannot help but be sucked into the story.

"It is 150 minutes long but it doesn't feel anywhere near that, you are engaging with every scene.

"It is just stunning the way that it has been put together.

"It is one of the best pieces of theatre you are likely to see."

As well as an Alex Salmond, Stephen also plays a Black Watch officer, who shows his feelings through emails written to his wife, and the late Lord Elgin who, during World War One, used the sword of Robert the Bruce to persuade young lads to sign up to the regiment.

On Alex Salmond, Stephen says: "It is not supposed to be a mimic job.

"These are transcripts of things that were actually said, that work to bring the audience into a specific moment.

"It is not about going up there and being Salmond, it is about giving these words that were actually spoken by him a certain weight."

The three parts are a far cry from Stephen's most recent role, as Arthur Thompson Junior in The Wee Man, the story of the life of Glasgow gangster Paul Ferris.

He says: "I had a lot of fun doing that, it was a great outlandish character to play, but it is controversial and it is real and recent. It is hard when you are doing something and then you realise your work has a direct impact on people."

Stephen is known for his appearances in gritty, Scottish films by director Peter Mullan, including Orphans, Neds and The Magdalene Sisters.

He said: "I would do anything for Peter, I think he is a phenomenal film maker, writer, actor, he is one of the best we have got."

For Neds, he based his schoolteacher character on one of his own teacher, at St Julie's Primary in Castlemilk.

Now, , after seeing the audience reactions to the show abroad, Stephen is looking forward to taking to the stage again in Black Watch.

He said: "I have rarely done theatre like that which touches people and has an effect on them every time you perform it.

"It forces them to open their eyes and think a little bit more, so, whatever opinion they have on war, they will realise that this isn't what this play is about. It is neither going to shatter their illusions or bolster their opinions, it is a different kind of message that the play has. It will maybe be a relief to a lot of people that they are not going to the theatre to be preached to.

"It doesn't speak to the rights and the wrongs of that specific conflict.

"What it does do is give you an insight into these young boys and what makes them want to join up, what makes them want to fight, what makes them such good soldiers."

l Black Watch runs at the SECC from next Thursday, March 28th, to Saturday, April 13, at 8pm.

Tickets cost from £10- £27.50. Visit www.nationaltheatrescotland.com for more information.