Victor and Barry's Guide to Mayfest

Victor and Barry were darlings of the Scottish cabaret scene, but now television domination beckoned.  Forbes and I were asked to wrte and host short magazine programmes about Mayfest, Glasgow's annual arts' festival.  We jumped at the chance, and, as Victor and Barry would say, suddenly the sluice gates of television stardom opened.

Looking back at it, this was an incredible experience because we were having to write material on the hoof, and change it according to which guests were available at the last minute, all the while trying to convey the characteristics and world of Victor and Barry to an unsuspecting nation.  Also at one point during the three weeks of the shows, I had to go away to Shetland to do some performances of It's Not The End of the World and so that is why Forbes is suddenly interviewing the artist George Wylie on his own!

It's Not the End of the World

This new play by Jack Klaff and Bob Sinfield premiered at the Theatre Workshop in Edinburgh and then toured extensively throughout Scotland. I played a young man who discovers that nuclear weapons are actually illegal according to international law, and tries to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

It was a really interesting idea, merging the home life of the characters, my character's obsession with his quest and flitting back and forth in time to other acts of war.  The best part about it was the fun we had touring through the Highlands, playing little church halls, sometimes having to shoo sheep off the road to be able to drive to the next venue. It was such a great way to see my country.

The company included Hilary Lyon (my ex-wife), Maureen Carr,  Stewart Preston, Vari Sylvester and me.  It was directed by Bryan Elsley.