The Good Year

February was an interesting month. I was unsuccessful for 'Macbeth' one minute and the next, they wanted me! Some sort of mix-up they said. So off I went to Portree and spent 3 long days, made up to look as if I'd just returned from a fierce battle, trudging along remote paths and through bogs, heavily laden with sodden woolen clothing and a sack full of wood. But it was worth it! On the last day of filming as we came out of wardrobe, we were surprised to see boxes of whiskey and beer stacked against the wall. The AD said it was for us from Michael Fassbender, by way of showing his appreciation for what we endured without complaint to get the scenes shot.

Shortly after, Andrew Doig began filming 'The Loch Ness Secret Committee' and I played the part of Ian, a journalist. (It may be in with a chance for the Raindance Film Festival if it gets enough votes) A short while later, after failing an audition for 'Pack Of Lies' with the Florians, I was asked to work as a support artist(extra)with the Scottish Ballet during the Inverness leg on their extensive tour of Romeo & Juliet. What an experience!!! And I made a couple of new FB friends!

Then, the big news! My agent, Alana, asked if I could be available for two week's work down in Perthshire for 'Outlander'. Well, I was packed before I put the phone down! Actually, it is a longer process than that and there's a fair bit of nervous expectation. After all, once your CV and pictures have been submitted, it's down to the production team as to whether you're suitable....but in this instance, I WAS!"!! Dressed in period clothing (again) and sporting a wig, I found myself on set, filming the first of the series of adventure novels we had begun reading back in the 90s. I found out we were doing Ep 11/16 and we had Bill Paterson and Tim McInnerny on set with us! Again, it was long days and often wet, yet VERY hot on set in the old church at Tibermore. Day 2, As I had been made up as a chieftain, I was asked to stand at the front of the scene and yell abuse at someone on trial. A few days later, I was asked to walk through the town square in Culross, repeatedly shouting a curse to the accused in the Gaelic (after the AD told me what they wanted, the Gaelic coach came over and spent time with me).Finally, in some studio set scenes In Cumbernauld, I was asked (and again coached) to deliver a hearty greeting in gaelic in a banquet scene.

After completing scenes from 'Death And The Maiden' with Eran KB at Drama Lab, then later 'Death Of A Salesman' with Allan MacFadyen, I was asked by local filmmaker Tristan Aitchinson to work on a student film he was directing, called 'Happy Birds'. Following on yet again, I was cast as Mr Marten in the melodrama 'Maria Marten And The Murder In The Red Barn', to be performed by Drama Lab at Eden Court this December!

The Game

Having stayed away from posting for so long,(I don't know why!)I now know the answer to the question I asked myself a couple of posts ago.....'Where will this path take me"? Well since then, I've worked as an extra with director Ken Loach on his film 'The Angel's Share in June 2011. I was later contacted by the same Casting Agent Kahleen Crawford and invited to audition for a Scarlett Johanssen film 'Under The Skin' (which perhaps thankfully, I didn't get....plagued with issues and STILL not released!) After a successful run at the Florian Theatre with The Winter's Tale, I was accepted to a residency with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre of Scotland, which became the new highlight of my short acting experience and probably still is. Back home, I was engaged in a series of short films by Andrew Doig, including the Shep Baker series and these were shown in the newly created Loch Ness Film Festival (still going and picking up pace with Andrew and his dad Will). Following on in 2012 I was cast in The Diary Of Anne Frank as Mr Kraler and that received excellent reviews as well. In fact all Florian's productions do! It was a great cast - Otto Frank/Nicky Nicol, Peter Van Daan/Craig Manson, Anne Frank/Maree Murdoch etc. From there, I ended up being cast as an alien Lord Ompeko, in a short Sci-Fi piece being filmed in the the City Chambers in George Square, Glasgow. The short was a 'sizzler' reel for 'The Imperial Chronicles Of Parduum' and I was made up with blue contacts, white skin and long, blue hair. It didn't end up being what I had imagined it would be and I'll say no more about it. At least I got to meet and work with William Samson, Robert Howat and my friend from Inverness, the talented Katie Messenger. Following on from there, I was asked to play the lead in the Florian's comedy 'Daylight Robbery',which was to be our submission to the SCDA (Scottish Community Drama Association) competition for 2013. As Detective Chief Inspector Hornblower, I found the single lines more difficult to remember than the monologues, but it all went smoothly when it mattered. Karen was cast as well, which was a surprise to us both, because she's never really had any interest in acting. She only came along to the auditions to see how it comes together.... Success! We came second in the region and had to take the play to Nairn for the semi-finals. Although we didn't fare well, the adjudicator was full of praise for the production, our characters, pace and timing. He just wasn't impressed with the script by playwright Harry Glass.... He also singled me out as 'an assured actor, a confident actor' and one whom the theatre should count themselves lucky to have in their company!! Well.....I was beside myself. Was I really that good? But no time to linger. Karen and I had joined the Inverness Opera Company and were in rehearsals for Jekyll & Hyde the Musical, which was to be performed in March 2013 in the Empire Theatre, Eden Court. WOW!!! The sets up from London, the effects with fog and lighting, the orchestra, costumes, make-up, was everything I'd always wanted to be a part of and sharing it with Karen was an added bonus. I was cast as Jekyll's butler Richard Poole, although I was also his demented father, a poor man in the street and a Naval Officer at Dr Jekyll's engagement party. All were managed by quick costume changes, applying and removing make-up and facial hair, such as handle bar mustache and mutton chop side burns (made by me from crepe hair and latex, applied with spirit gum). What a success that was!! Every night, every performance - standing ovations and thunderous applause. The reviews were astounding! Sadly, it was a failure financially, as not enough people came to see it. Was it promoted enough? Were the posters suitably designed? Were people unwilling to see something they'd not heard of before? After all, it wasn't Oklahoma or South Pacific. Perhaps all of these. Then, nothing.....until out of the blue I was told about a film up by Gairloch and cast as an extra. It was 'What We Did On Our Holiday' by Andy Hamilton. It starred David Tennant, Billy Connolly, Rosemund Pike, Annette Crosby, Ben Miller, Jake D'Arcy and one or two others who's names escape me. We filmed at Red Point and were plagued with midges, but the scenery was spectacular! Following on from there, I decided to audition for the pantomime, Cinderella. No success. So, now I'm back at Drama Lab and enjoying it immensely. Andrew Doig has approached me about another part in a film he's about to make and I've submitted an application to work as an extra over on Skye in the film 'Macbeth' with Michael Fassbender. Wish me luck......!!