Dropping The Soap

Falkirk Town Hall, Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, Fri-sat IT

isn’t every day stars such as Graham Norton and Martine Mccutcheon make appearances in community theatres across Scotland’s heartland.

But over the next few months, the likes of Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock and Livingston’s Howden Park will play host (sort of ) to these big names.

Sort of, because they’ll appear via video link as part of a comedy show from former River City star Gary Lamont, who has called on his showbiz pals’ input for Dropping The Soap.

Graham and Martine – as well as Dawn Steele, Michelle Mcmanus and Claire Richards from Steps – will appear in the show as Gary pokes fun at himself.

“The premise of the show is I’ve left River City and what do I do now, so I Skype call all of my famous pals for their advice,” smiled Gary, who played Robbie Fraser in the BBC Scotland drama.

“Claire is my childhood idol, Graham is my favourite TV host, Dawn is my favourite actress, Martine is my spirit animal and Michelle is normally so expensive I can’t afford her!

“To have them all take part and send themselves up has been incredible.

“It’s set up to look like it’s live. We did the show at the Edinburgh Fringe last August and people in the audience thought we had them on the phone right there and then, so that was a compliment.”

What the audiences in the capital didn’t realise was a few of the guest stars did actually come along to see the show.

“Graham came to a performance, as did Dawn and Michelle, but we snuck them into the back row after the lights had gone down,” Gary revealed.

Whether any of them make it along to Gary’s tour over the next few months is yet to be seen, but Gary can’t wait to take the show on the road.

It starts this week in Falkirk and Dundee, with dates in Kilmarnock, Cumbernauld, Giffnock, Stirling, Paisley, Kirkcaldy, Lochgelly, Livingston and St Andrews still to come.

And the show is proving to be a change of pace compared to River City, where he spent the best part of a decade.

“I’ve never gone on tour and theatre isn’t something I have done much of, so I’m really excited about it,” he admitted.

“I left River City in May, having spent eight years there, which is the longest job I’ve ever had.

“It’s a great gig and I had a brilliant life – I travelled the world, bought a house and had a comfortable existence – but I really