Still Game stars to share memories of Craiglang at Beacon

'People Huv Tae Know', which will run at the Beacon in Greenock next Wednesday celebrates 21 years since the iconic comedy Still Game was first screened.

In the show, actors Gavin Mitchell (Boabby), Paul Riley (Winston), Sanjeev Kohli (Navid), Jane McCarry (Isa), and Mark Cox (Tam), will take to the stage to share their memories of Craiglang. 

Jane and Mark spoke to the Telegraph about the show, which is coming to Greenock as part of a UK-wide tour. 

Jane said the team have been blown away by the response from fans so far. 

She told the Tele: "People have been bringing so much warmth to these shows. 

"The audiences have been like big families.

"We're loving every second of it. 

"The Beacon is one of our favourite places to play, and I'm not just saying that.

"There's always a real magic in the air in Greenock."

Jane, Mark and Paul were all set to bring a show to the Beacon before covid hit. 

They've now brought in Gavin and Sanjeev to help share even more stories from The Clansman and beyond. 

In the first half of the show, the actors tell stories and share memories, and in the second half, the audience get the chance to ask questions. 

There will also be prizes for people who choose to dress up as members of the Craiglang clan.

Jane says the shows have demonstrated just how much people know about the programme, which aired between September 2002 until March 2019. 

She added: "It's actually crazy how much people know about Still Game. 

"Some of the audience actually know the answers to questions when we don't.

"People love to hear all the inside gossip and hear about what goes on behind the scenes. 

"We talk about the relationships between us all and how long we've all known each other."

Mark says part of the continued popularity of the show all over the world is thanks to its availability on Netflix. 

He added: "Funny is funny and that translates everywhere and anywhere. 

"We have fans in Uganda, Australia, New York and Japan. 

"In this tour we've had fans coming along from Sunderland, Portsmouth, Liverpool, London, all over the UK. 

"A whole range of ages from a whole range of places."

Jane said: "We've had everyone from two ten-year-olds dressed up as Jack and Victor, right through to a couple from Dorset who have no Scottish provenance at all."

Jane and Mark say that one of the most emotional parts of the tour so far has been hearing that Still Game has got fans through very difficult times. 

Jane added: "It's a real source of comfort to people, some folk watch it every night.

"It's not just about all the hilarious parts, we talk about the sad stuff too."

Mark says while he has favourite moments from many episodes over the years, there's one that stands out. 

He added: "I really love the one set in the 70s, the Hogmanay special. 

"We all had so much fun doing that. 

"I loved dressing up in all the 70s gear. It was really nostalgic."

Jane said: "There are so many special moments. 

"I genuinely couldn't choose a favourite episode. I love so many different bits of so many of them."

Mark says the the show will help people get a 'deeper insight into their favourite characters from a programme that they love'. 

He added: "They'll hear new things. 

"It's an in-depth discussion and we go into a lot of detail."

Jane said: "People really enjoy that part of it and want to be involved in that."

To book tickets visit www.beaconartscentre.co.uk/events/people-huv-tae-know