30 Years Of The Steamie

Actor and writer Tony Roper talks to Wendy Glass about the enduring appeal of his much-loved play.

IN 1987, a play about four hard-working housewives doing their weekly laundry at their local wash-house was first performed in Glasgow – and was an instant hit.

Since then, “The Steamie” has become one of Scotland’s classic plays and is currently attracting sell-out audiences to its 30th anniversary tour, which finishes in Edinburgh in November.

“I never expected the first play I ever wrote to stand the test of time,” Tony Roper admits.

He is the actor who wrote “The Steamie” in 1987 – and who is perhaps best known as Jamesie Cotter of “Rab C. Nesbitt” fame.

“I thought it would have a three-week run – not thirty years and counting!”

“The Steamie” is set in a 1950s Glasgow wash-house on Hogmanay, where Dolly, Magrit, Doreen and Mrs Culfeathers are desperately trying to get their washing done before the bells ring out at the start of the New Year, helped, or maybe hindered, by the not-so-handy Andy.

With its heartwarming combination of laughter, tears and song, “The Steamie” is an ode to days long gone, with young Doreen’s visions of the future, Mrs Culfeathers’ look back at the past and Magrit’s moaning that a woman’s work is never done – and the all-pervading sense of community spirit and teamwork that could make a visit to the wash-house one of the highlights of a housewife’s week!

“It’s based on my mum’s memories of the steamie where she’d wash our clothes,” Tony, who was brought up in a Glasgow tenement, says.

“My mum was technical advisor for the play! It was vital I get every detail right as, when the play was first performed, there would be women in the audience who had done their washing in the wash-house every week.

“My mum explained the whole routine of the wash-house to me – it wasn’t like nowadays when you just pop the washing in the machine and it comes out nice and clean.

“I was in my late forties when I sat down with a Biro and a jotter and wrote ‘The Steamie’,” Tony continues. “It’s wonderful that it’s still bringing laughter and tears, and touching that intangible something in an audience that continues to make it a favourite night out.”

“The Steamie” is being performed at theatres across Scotland from now until November 6. n