Still Game? Not Scottish enough...
YOU might think that Jack and Victor couldn’t be more Craiglang if they tried.
But their Glasgow patter has failed to win the popular Still Game live stage show a theatre awards nomination – because it’s not Scottish enough.
The bizarre rejection arises from a technicality as the live version of the BBC TV comedy show was not produced in Scotland.
The Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) has shortlisted a number of high-brow and relatively unknown productions including The Venetian Twins and The Caucasian Chalk Circle.
But there’s no spot for Still Game Live – and the outcry has led to CATS hinting at a possible change in future judging criteria.
Grumpy pensioners Jack and Victor, played by Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill, clocked up 21 sellout performances at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro in October 2014, after the show’s original four dates sold out within hours. The production played a big part in making the arena the second busiest live entertainment venue in the world.
The list was based on ticket sales, and there was no doubt which act was the most popular at the 13,000 capacity venue. More than 210,000 fans turned up to see the stage show, raising £6million at the box office.
Hemphill took to Twitter to show his bemusement at the CATS decision.
He tweeted: ‘Written by Scots, performed by Scots, in Scotland. Not Scottish. Hahaha! #stillgamelive.’
CATS said: ‘The rule we have for CATS eligibility is that a show must be substantially produced in Scotland. This is the criterion we applied to Still Game which, although performed in Scotland, was produced by the London-based Phil McIntyre Entertainments.
‘Every year we review our judging criteria, so it’s possible things will change, but this was the rule we have operated under to date.’