A SALTCOATS man starring in a highly acclaimed play set to tour the UK says he is "over the moon" to be given the opportunity.
James Miller will be back on the road for the first time in around a decade as he plays one of the leading rolls in Des Dillion's version of hit show 'Singing I’m No a Billy, He’s a Tim'.
The tour will help celebrate 20 years since the anti-sectarian play first graced the stage back in 2004.
James was part of the cast then, alongside Scott Kyle - best known for performances in the television series Outlander and the movies Angels Share and Kajaki - and Colin Little, who has appeared in the tv soap River City, Fried, Gasping, and The Secret Agent. They played in front of crowds of up to 3,000 across the nation.
The play has continued to be performed on stages all over Scotland since then though the iteration created by Des Dillion has not been on the road since the early 2010s.
The plot revolves around two rival Celtic and Rangers football fans forced to share a jail cell on the day of a major clash between their respective teams.
Sparks fly as the two main characters exchange banter and insults fuelled by generations of deep-seated bigotry, paranoia, and cultural misconceptions.
Faced with the prospect of being locked up together for hours they have to choose between carrying on their feud or finding common ground.
Though the team are now back together and ready to play an incredible 50 shows on 47 dates in 38 towns across three countries.
James - who will be playing the prison guard in the play - has only made a handful of performances on stage, with Shoogalie Road Productions, since the show last toured and he is delighted at the prospect of getting back into acting.
He said: “I’ve got to believe, test and push myself forward to get something more from this.”
In particular, he is "over the moon" at the prospect of playing venues in London and at the Edinburgh festival.
Though he also had a message for the people of Ayrshire who will have the opportunity to see the show when it arrives in Stewarton, Ayr, Cumnock, Largs and Kilmarnock.
James said: “Whether you’re a football fan or not you will find something to relate to in this story.
“There is laughs, there is tears, there is jokes and a sense of belonging with family.
“It is well worth your money. You will have a right good time and you will definitely take something away with you.”
Those interested in attending a show can find more information of all dates and tickets at www.scottkyle.co.uk.
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