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Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Hit musical about Celtic FC is coming back to Glasgow
'My dad saw this show at the Armadillo and loved it,' says the Castlemilk-born actor. 'He sadly died in May, so when I saw the auditions come up, I thought I'd try for a part and do it in his memory. I'm doing it for him.' Stephen is starring in Celtic The Musical, a reimagined version of the hit show which has been delighting audiences in Glasgow and on tour for almost a decade. The new cast of Celtic The Musical (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) It is coming to the Pavilion in September, and the Glasgow Times was given exclusive access to the new cast as they met for the first time at Celtic Park in the East End. Celtic The Musical follows the life and times of the Quinn family, as they support their beloved club through the generations, from its founding by Brother Walfrid in 1888 through the heady days of Jock Stein and the Lisbon Lions, to Brendan Rodgers' present-day squad. Songs include fan favourites Hail Hail, Over and Over and the spine-tingling You'll Never Walk Alone. Stephen, who is known for his work on a string of TV series and films including Rise of the Footsoldier: Vengeance, Vigil and Mayflies, is making his Celtic The Musical debut. 'It's exciting – hopefully we're bringing something new and fresh to the show, a different dynamic,' he says. Julie Duncanson and Stephen McCole (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) 'It's a show really about how this club has been an anchor for families to share experiences, to cry together a bit, to support each other.' He grins: 'And I'm sure if my dad is watching somewhere, he'll be laughing his a**e off at me. If the lights start to go a bit funny in the middle of it, I'll know he's there …' (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Elysia Welch is also new to the production. The Southside-based actor, who plays Rosie, is delighted to be joining the show. 'I'm a Celtic fan, so I'm really excited,' she says, smiling. 'Rosie is sassy, she knows a lot about Celtic and she and her brother are constantly back and forth at each other, so it's a bit like me and my siblings. 'I can't wait.' Former River City star Julie Duncanson is reprising her role as Quinn family matriarch Mary. 'The audience makes the show – they bring all their love and enthusiasm and it's great to be part of that,' says Julie, who is from North Glasgow. (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Gary: Tank Commander star James Rottger is also returning to the production. 'This will make it four-in-row,' he says, wryly. 'Just like Celtic has just done. I feel like my character, Tommy, has aged with me along the way. 'It's a great show, always changing and staying fresh.' (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest) Keith Warwick, who is a veteran of the production, having performed in it twice at the Pavilion, and at the Armadillo and on tour, agrees the show 'has to evolve' with each run. 'You want to keep it up to date and fresh, because the story of Celtic keeps going,' says the Govan-born actor. 'The main theme though does not change – it's about family, it's about refugees being made welcome in Glasgow because that's the roots of this club, and it's about the highs and lows of life.' Keith, who is well-known for a string of TV and stage roles including My Parents Are Aliens and The Bill, is a dyed-in-the-wool Celtic fan, so he is delighted to be talking about this in the home of his favourite club. He is also well aware of how much the story means to the fans. 'If I can just name-drop for a moment,' he says, mock-apologetically, 'Brendan Rodgers spoke to me at the last run and asked me if I got nervous waiting in the wings, because the atmosphere at this show is so raucous. 'I told him as a fan, I was over the moon, and so excited, but as a professional, you have to control yourself.' He adds, smiling: 'If you don't rein it in, the audience will take over and you'll just be singing songs all night. And people have got buses to catch.' Celtic The Musical will be at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow from September 4 to 27.
Scottish Sun
01-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Dave King insists new American owners WILL make Rangers the ‘dominant force' in Scotland again
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DAVE KING insists the new American owners WILL make Rangers the 'dominant force' in Scotland again. The takeover saga ended last Friday when Andrew Cavenagh and his San Francisco 49ers backers were handed the keys to Ibrox in a £90million deal. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 2 Dave King has ended his 25-year association with Rangers Credit: PA 2 But he believes the people coming into the club will take it forward Credit: Alamy Former chairman King said: 'The owners are coming in with a real commitment to make Rangers the dominant force in Scotland. "That's what this project is about. It's not about winning one or two titles. "It's about the next ten or 20 years and that's why I'm excited. 'They are the right people. We know they have got the resources to do this. 'They are not going to come and just spend the money. "They are smart, clever business people. 'They have done a great job with Leeds, if you look at the numbers. "Things like the commercial revenue, I believe they have quadrupled it over four or five years. 'They understand football. They understand all of the other things — the gaming side, the media side — that are important if you're to be a modern football club. 'And if we're going to continue to have to operate in the markets that we want to operate in and be successful in Europe we need that. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed 'That's why I'm excited.' King was delighted to finally get the deal over the line. The Castlemilk-born tycoon has sold his shares to the Cavenagh consortium, ending his 25-year association with his boyhood heroes. While King is predicting wholesale change, he's warned Gers fans it won't happen overnight. He added: 'It's going to be a steady, ongoing improvement. "But what we shouldn't be expecting is for it to turn around in one transfer window. 'I'm just hoping that the supporters understand that. 'We'll all expect to see a far better quality of player coming in than is going out. 'Part of my frustration is we've brought guys in, and all of a sudden he's not fit yet or he needs more time. 'The league was a third gone and we were still waiting for players to put their shirt on for the first time. "You can't be doing that. We need to bring in people who are ready to go. 'They know that and that's why I still remain confident because these Euro qualifiers will be on us before we know it.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
