FORD AND GREG WANT NEW STILL GAME STAGE SHOW TO BE MORE THEATRICAL

Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill decided not to record their new stage show because they claim the last one felt 'a bit flat' when they watched it back on a screen.

The Still Game: Live 2 show is on at Glasgows SSE Hydro from February 4-16 and Ford said: "We wanted it to be a theatrical experience and we felt when we saw the DVD played back from our last show that there was a third hand feel to it. It was all there but there was a flatness about it we were not entirely comfortable with when we saw it back.

Greg added: "This show is kind of unique in that it's the first time we've done Still Game where it hasn't been been recorded. All the TV episodes we've recorded are obviously on DVD and the original stage show we did at the festival in 1997 is also on DVD but this is uniquely theatrical and by the fifteenth of February it will be gone forever. It kind of feels good. That's how theatre should be. I know you can go to the GFT and watch a big production because people can't go to London and whatnot but I think theatre has to be experienced live.

"You can watch Kevin Bridges or Frankie Boyle on a DVD because you are used to seeing them live. It's them and a mike so it's not that much of leap to watch a DVD of them live but to watch a theatre show with lots of actors, you've got to be here."

The two actors who play Craiglang pensioners Jack and Victor in the comedy admitted there was a huge pressure on them to fulfil the expectations of their audience.

Ford said: "There is a huge pressure because everybody raved or passed comment on the last one and said they had a terrific time and a big part of the audience is repeat business who have been before so we've got to keep them entertained and surpass what we've done before."

Greg added: "It feels like a very different animal from the TV show but that has its own pressure and it feels like we are used to that. When the show was on, people loved it and there was the pressure to continue it at the level we were at and there was the pressure to bring it back after seven years and now we are doing the stage show again, it's got to be fresh and different and are kind of used to it and thrive on it .

The duo also suggested a new series of Still Game may soon be on its way.







- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

DONNA MILLER'S BROTHER BRAVES ARCTIC FOR LATE SISTER'S FUNDRAISER

THE brother of tragic brain tumour mum Donna Miller has returned from a gruelling Arctic Trek to raise funds for charity.
Beautiful Donna, wife of former Scotland international footballer Lee Miller, and mother to two of his children, died in April 2012 after battling a brain tumour for more than four years.
Her brother Sean Gilhoolie, 24, is just home after embarking on a three day trek into minus forty temperatures in the arctic circle to help Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity.
Sean headed to Rovaniemi in Finland for the Trek.
Having already helped to raise £100,000 in the four and a half years since she passed away, he said: "The Arctic Trek idea was put forward to me by Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity and what an experience I have had over the past week. Mentally and physically it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I never want to see a hill, snow or a tents again. I have met some great people and there were high and low moments but I couldn't have felt prouder standing on the finish line with the Donna Miller foundation across my chest. I just want to thank everyone for their support.


Sean added: "I was pushing myself and although my family were not too keen and my mum was worried sick I'm wasn't doing it half heartedly. I'm not a massive fitness person and my biggest worry was how I'd deal with a lack of sleep and walking all those hours every day.
Donna wouldn't have wanted me to go as she was so protective but her kids were behind me and it was a great experience - and I didn't come back with just five toes."
Sean only realised how serious his trek was after picking up some of the equipment he needs for it. He said: "We were training on The West Highland Way and I had to buy a nine hundred pound sleeping bag for nighttime and a special jacket to walk in. Luckily my friends had given me a whole load of vouchers for my birthday so I got my equipment with that."
Sean took a picture of Donna with him as well as a lucky charm from his mum.
He said: "Donna's oldest child Lennon was so excited for me and made a personal donation. I don't think her youngest Bobby understood at first but I was showing him photos and he understood how cold it was going to be."
"The kids even sent me a video message congratulating me on the trek."

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

ROBERT BURNS WOULD FIT INTO CRAIGLANG WITH JACK AND VICTOR

STILL Game's Isa reckons Rabbie Burns would love a night out at The Clansman with the rest of the Craiglang pensioners.
Actress Jane McCarry who plays the gossipy shop cleaner in Navid's corner shop appeared at Ayr racecourse Burns Supper to reply on behalf of the lassies.
Speaking of Scotland's National Bard who has brought us gems like Tam O' Shanter and Ae Fond Kiss, she said: "Rabbie would love a night at the Clansman. With a wee goldie in his hand, one of Boabby's microwaved pies and the bonny Isa and Peggy to gaze at over the puggy."


Jane even reckons Still Game creators Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill should make a special edition of the show dedicated to the Ayrshire lad.
She said: "A Burns night Still Game special would be a great idea. Boabby would mix up some tinned haggis with some pedigree Chum and we would all be happy. Jack and Victor would do the immortal memory, Winston would toast and Isa would reply."
The Ploughman Poet and his tartan bunnet might well fit in perfectly to the surroundings of Osprey Heights - and we could see him having a good old chinwag with Isa and her pals.
Jane who appeared at the bash with Grant Stott, said: "My favourite Burns night tradition has to be the immortal memory...as long as it's not too long. I genuinely love Burns and I've heard so many different versions of the immortal memory over the years and I've always come away with some new information. That and the haggis of course."








- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

FANCY A PIECE OF HEAVENLY TRAINSPOTTING CAKE?

THIS is the remainder of the less than tasty cake enjoyed by Ewan McGregor and the cast of T2 Trainspotting at a private party in Edinburgh's Balmoral hotel.
The sponge, complete with stick out syringes was ordered specially by Danny Boyle's team for an intimate party at the posh hotel just before the premiere.
The real medical syringes were stuck into the sweet treat and served up with each portion.
According to one insider some of the party removed them for a laugh and asked surprised staff to fill them with booze and put fruit on the end.
The cake was just part of the big celebrations to mark the release of T2 Trainspotting, 21 years after the original.
Following this week's premiere and a walk on the orange carpet, Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Kelly Macdonald and the gang headed to Edinburgh's Caves for an official after party.
Invitations to the exclusive bash where Irvine Welsh once held a party for Skagboys read: "Choose ostentation, self congratulation and canapés."


While crew and cast members partied it up, a giant picture of the four lads was projected onto the walls.
The cast then made their way back to the hotel for around one am where they held their own private celebrations. While Ewan sat in the Scotch whisky bar, with Ewen Bremner and Danny Boyle, Jonny Lee Miller and a party including actress Sadie Frost chose to sit in the Brasserie.

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

TRNSMT FESTIVAL IS SCOTLAND'S NEW MUSIC BABY

TRNSMT is Scotland's newest festival and will take place at Glasgow Green this summer.
Festival bosses DF concerts revealed the name today in a short video which features lot of bleeps and electronics noise behind a graphic that was reminiscent of an old TV holding page.
The dates Glasgow Green 7-9 July were placed underneath the video with a link to a website that asks you to register for more info.





The only other info available at this stage is who the sponsors are - BBC Scotland, Big Green Couch and Utilita.
Festival fans are currently speculating about the fest, which is expected to be a non camping affair.
Rumours have already circulated that Coldplay and Radiohead may be playing the fest but more news will be revealed in coming days.
Music fans are clamouring for more info with one saying: "Buzzing to see the line up." Another added: "So it's it dance orientated or mixed music? Anyone know yet?"



- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

EWAN MCGREGOR JOKES ABOUT TRUMP AT EDINBURGH TRAINSPOTTING PREMIERE

EWAN McGregor said he wouldn't talk US politics at the T2 Trainspotting premiere then cheekily referred to the orange carpet.
The star was in a naughty mood as he referred to Donald Trump and said at Edinburgh's Fountain Park: "Let's make the only orange thing we talk about this carpet."


He admitted it was great to be back with the old gang and said: "It was nice to shoot this in Edinburgh cause we shot the first one mainly in Glasgow although the first one is set in Leith. I think you'll feel Edinburgh is more of a character than it was in the first one.
Admitting that he felt a bit older and wiser this time round than when he first played the character in his twenties he said: "Every day there was a twenty years later moment. It was lovely to read John Hodges words again.
He also said he wouldn't have minded wrapping roles with Ewen Bremner for the sequel explaining: "I probably would have swapped with Ewen. He played Renton in the stage play before the movie so probably I'd be Spud and he'd be Renton if we could swap."


- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com

SHOUT SINGER LULU HAS NEWFOUND LOVE OF HEAVY METAL

SHOUT singer Lulu has a new found love for heavy metal - and is even thinking about duetting with her thrash-head nephew.
The Lennoxtown lass born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie might be best known for singing ballads like To Sir With Love, but the singer has been reintroduced to the sound through her nephew Felix and his thrash metal band Brutai.
As the lads prepare to play Glasgow's G2 this Tuesday, Lulu, said: "I went to see Felix and Brutai a couple of weeks before Christmas in London and it was fabulous, absolutely amazing. I think someone in a recent review said heavy metal was safe in these kids hands and it's true."
Lulu admitted rock and roll had always been her passion but she is getting more into heavy metal.
She said: "I had worked with Jimmy Page from the age of sixteen, and John Paul Jones was my MD and arranger for many years. They actually both became very very close friends and that came from the respecting their talent. With Black Sabbath, you become more interested in some songs when they get to be hits."
Aunty Lu as Felix calls her, took him to see Black Sabbath perform recently and meet up with her metalhead pals.
He said: "I was just trying to hold it together not being too much of a fanboy and keep cool. Sharon Osborne invited us and Jimmy Page was there too. Although Auntie Lu doesn't know too much abut the hard rock metal scene she's always there for advice."
Lulu, who herself appears at the Big Burns supper on January 20 in Dumfries, said: "I wanted him to gig with me on tour the year before last but he couldn't because he had commitments with his own band. I think one day we have to get up on stage together and perform something even if its just for prosperity. Hopefully he won't get so famous I won't be able to get any time from him."
He's been in the band half his life and he's twenty seven now. I remember him very clearly strumming his guitar in nappies and he was attracted to it. It's great to see him do so well now.

Extracts of this article have since appeared in the Scottish Mail on Sunday.

- Posted with love from Scotland by theShowbizLion.com