Latest news with #GavinMitchell
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Still Game star first made people laugh with his impersonations at school in Lanarkshire
Gavin Mitchell is best known for his role as Boabby the Barman. Still Game star Gavin Mitchell has revealed how being plunked in front of the telly as a child helped plant a seed for his acting career . Originally from the 'lovely fishing village of Springburn' in the north of Glasgow, the 60-year-old is best known for his role as the acerbic Boabby the Barman in the sitcom's fictional Craiglang. His family moved around a lot when he was growing up and he spent a large part of his childhood in North Lanarkshire. Gavin's dad was a film projectionist in Coatbridge and the family had a spell living there as well as stints in Airdrie and Glenboig. He attended St Barbara's Primary, and Our Lady and St Joseph's Primary in Glenboig, before moving up to St Patrick's High in Coatbridge. 'I was all over the place,' he admits. I didn't really have a lot of pals and was sort of plunked in front of the telly. 'I'm not formally trained [in acting] but I think partly through the moving about, it became a defence mechanism - I used to make people laugh a lot at school by doing impersonations.' Gavin's first love was art and it was while working casual at a famous Glasgow theatre that the opportunity arose to take to the stage for the first time. He said: 'It ended up it was a dare, a good mate of mine Iain Muir and I didn't know what we were going to do in life. He was a joiner but didn't finish his apprenticeship. I was doing casual theme painting at the Citizens Theatre and he was doing casual joinery work. "We had the skinny, peely-wally look, with black hair, and he was asked to be an extra in the next show. He told me he didn't want to do it. I said, 'What? I'd love to do that'. "So, he said if you do it, I'll do it and we shook hands on it. That's how it started and from there on in I learned on the job, I was at the Citizens for four or five years, working with Glenda Jackson and Rupert Everett and people like that.' Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell, is about to head to a number of theatres around Scotland this month. It will see the 60-year-old actor offer up behind-the-scenes stories and insight from his years of working in theatre, film, TV and radio. Top of the list will be his time as Boabby the Barman in Still Game, having first worked with the cast members in the mid-90s. 'I worked with Ford [Kiernan] and Greg [Hemphill} on a sketch show in 1996 called Pulp Video and that's sort of where the Still Game characters first started,' Gavin revealed. 'Greg and I played old men in a couple of the sketches, then out of boredom while we were waiting about we just started talking like two old men and making each other laugh, Ford thought there was something in it and wrote a couple of sketches. "Jane McCarry [Isa] was in Pulp Video as well and Sanjeev [Kohli - who played Navid] worked on it as a writer. I was Winston originally. We all kind of met then, almost 30 years ago.' Although the last Still Game television show was recorded around seven years ago Gavin admits he is still often called a p***k by passers-by, a term often-used by Jack and Victor when greeting Boabby in The Clansman. 'It's always done with a fondness,' he said. 'It's kind of weird as Still Game only took about two weeks out of my year. Despite the fact I'd been acting for about 15 years before that and all the work I've done since, I've done all sorts, but I'll always be known for Boabby.' Gavin has taken on a variety of roles over the years, from film, telly and radio, right through to opera. He's been playing Humphrey Bogart's role in Cassablanca on and off for 15 years, a role he'll revive at this year's Edinburgh Festival and at Oran Mor in Glasgow. He has no regrets over the roles he's taken on over the years, in fact it's the opposite. 'That road leads to madness," said Gavin. "It's more about the things you didn't do that you think, 'I wish I'd taken that, I shouldn't have bottled that'. Sometimes it's just down to nerves and confidence. 'It's all about confidence and actors take a lot of rejection, there's lots of things can affect you that people forget. We live in a society now that's so based on fame, success and celebrity that people think everyone just waltzes about going 'Hey!'. Despite his own success Gavin says he would advise anyone thinking of taking up acting as a career to think carefully. He continued: 'It used to be around 80 per cent unemployment in acting, it's now something like 98 per cent. There's only around two per cent working at any time, and there's more and more actors. 'You don't need to have a union card anymore, so anyone can act, but a lot of younger actors are undercutting each other - they're doing it for less money and worse conditions.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Look who it isnae' - Still Game's iconic Boabby the Barman heads to Dumbarton for new stage show
Still Game icon Boabby the Barman is bringing his 'Look Who It Isnae - An Audience with Gavin Mitchell' show to Dumbarton next month Gavin Mitchell is swapping Craiglang for Dumbarton as he brings his tour to the town. The actor and funnyman – best known for his iconic role as Boabby the Barman in Still Game – is heading to Dumbarton next month for his show 'Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell'. Gavin starred as the much-maligned landlord behind the bar of the legendary Clansman boozer in the iconic Scots sitcom for nine series. Now, his show will give fans the chance to sit down for the intimate show to hear about Gavin's more than 30-year-long career in showbiz. The show comes to Dumbarton's Denny Civic Theatre, in St Marys Way, on Friday, July 4, at 7.30pm. Speaking ahead of the upcoming appearance, Gavin said: 'I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share stories from my glorious career, whilst spilling the beans on all the behind-the-scenes gossip from Still Game. It's going to be an unforgettable experience for the fans, and for me as well!' The show title is a throwback to one of Gavin's memorable lines from Still Game, where he quips 'look it is isnae' to sharp-tongued pensioners Jack and Victor, only to be cut down as Jack says: 'Oh, that is fantastic patter, Bobby, who are we no today, ya p****?' Gavin also starred on TV comedies Velvet Soup and Happy Hollidays, as well as the comedy-drama film Being Human, with Robin Williams. Away from comedy, Gavin has taken on more serious roles, appearing in TV dramas such as Monarch of the Glen and The Field of Blood. Gavin received the 'Best Actor' award at the Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 for his Still Game role along the way. In December last year, punters at one Lanarkshire pub did a double take when they spotted Gavin pulling pints behind ther bar ahead of a gig as he chatted away and snapped selfies with excited fans. Gavin thrilled locals with a surprise appearance at The Weavers, in Strathaven, ahead of his new stand-up show. The new tour give fans the chance to get up close and personal, as Gavin takes them on a journey through his illustrious 30 plus year career in entertainment. With behind-the-scenes stories and insight from years of working in theatre, film, TV and radio, this is a chance for fans to engage with a beloved figure in Scottish entertainment. There are even a limited number of VIP meet and greet tickets available, giving a handful of fans the opportunity to meet Gavin in-person before the show. Tickets for Gavin's Dumbarton performance can be booked by clicking here.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Still Game star to bring 'intimate' tour to Dumbarton
Gavin Mitchell, who played Boabby the Barman in the BBC comedy, is set to visit the Denny Civic Theatre on Friday, July 4. The comedian is bringing his latest production 'Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell' to the town. The show will begin at 7.30pm on the night and tickets start from £20. Gavin is now embarking on an 'intimate' tour presenting an up-close and personal show. (Image: Red Shoe Entertainment) READ NEXT: Spirit of Alba announces shock closure with 'heavy heart' Audiences will be taken on a journey through his illustrious 30-plus-year career in entertainment. They will also be treated to behind-the-scenes stories and insight from decades of working in theatre, film, TV, and radio. It is a chance for fans to engage with the actor, and there are even a limited number of VIP meet-and-greet tickets available. (Image: Eddie Middleton) READ NEXT: Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look Ahead of the show, Gavin said, "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share stories from my glorious career, whilst spilling the beans on all the behind-the-scenes gossip from Still Game. 'It's going to be an unforgettable experience for the fans, and for me as well." Gavin starred as Boabby the Barman in Still Game across nine seasons. In 2019, he received the 'Best Actor' award at the Scottish Comedy Awards for the role. For further information on his upcoming show, visit HERE.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Look who it isnae as Still Game star Boabby heads for West Lothian theatre stage
Gavin Mitchell who's best known as Boabby the Barman is heading to Bathgate A Bathgate audience will get the chance to question a Still Game star when he takes to the stage in the town later this month. Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell, will see the 60-year-old actor offer up behind-the-scenes stories and insight from his years of working in theatre, film, TV and radio. Gavin is instantly recognisable thanks to his role as the acerbic Boabby the Barman in the hit Scottish sitcom TV series. Hailing from the north of Glasgow and an area he describes as the 'lovely fishing village of Springburn', Gavin first got into acting almost accidentally through a dare with one of his pals. 'A good mate of mine Iain Muir and I didn't know what we were going to do in life,' Gavin admits. 'He was a joiner but hadn't finished his apprenticeship. I did casual theme painting at the Citizens Theatre and he was doing casual joinery work. "We had the skinny, peely-wally look, with black hair, and Iain was asked to be an extra in the next show. He told me he didn't want to do it, I said' What? I'd love to do that'. So, he said if you do it, I'll do it and we shook hands on it. "So that's how it started and from there on in I learned on the job, I was at the Citizens for four or five years. I was working with Glenda Jackson and Rupert Everett and people like that.' There was a very significant development in the mid-90s when Gavin and the other actors who would eventually find national acclaim as the characters in Still Game, were thrown together for the first time. 'I worked with Ford [Kiernan] and Greg [Hemphill} on a sketch show in 1996 called Pulp Video and that's sort of where the Still Game characters first started. Greg and I played old men in a couple of the sketches, then out of boredom while we were waiting about we just started talking like two old men and making each other laugh, Ford thought there was something in it and wrote a couple of sketches. "Jane McCarry [Isa] was in Pulp Video as well and Sanjeev {Kohli - who played Navid] worked on it as a writer. I was Winston originally. We all kind of met then, almost 30 years ago.' Although the last Still Game television show was recorded around seven years ago Gavin admits he is still often called a pr**k by passers-by, an term often-used by Jack and Victor when greeting Boabby in The Clansman. 'It's always done with a fondness,' he said. 'It's kind of weird as Still Game only took about two weeks out of my year. Despite the fact I'd been acting for about 15 years before that and all the work I've done since, I've done all sorts, but I'll always been known for Boabby.' Gavin has taken on a variety of roles over the years, from film, telly and radio right through to opera. He's been playing Humphrey Bogart's role in Cassablanca on and off for 15 years, a role he will revive again at this year's Edinburgh Festival. But before that, what can the audience expect when he takes to the stage in Bathgate? 'The show will inevitably talk about Still Game but it will also be about the other side of things,' Gavin revealed. 'How I got there, the people I've worked with throughout the years – including becoming friends with Robin Williams and things like that. There will be loads of anecdotes and stories from over the years. 'I have clips from shows and ads that have never been seen in this country. I have questions that are sent in from celebrities, some I know, some I don't. I've had questions from Chesney Hawkes, Amy McDonald, Susan Boyle and Midge Ure. But my favourite part of the show is the second half when the punters in the crowd get to ask me questions, because you never know what you're going to be asked and what way it's going to go, it's kind of unpredictable.' Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell is at the Reconnect Regal Theatre on Friday, June 27.
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Up close and personal with Still Game's Gavin Mitchell in Bathgate
Gavin Mitchell, who played Boabby the Barman in BBC and Netflix's Still Game, is heading to the Reconnect Regal Theatre in Bathgate on Friday 27th June with his latest production, Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Gavin, an acclaimed actor and comedian, became a household name after playing the role of Boabby the Barman in Still Game across nine series, receiving the 'Best Actor' award at the Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 for his role along the way. He has also starred in comedy television shows Velvet Soup and Happy Hollidays, as well as the comedy-drama film Being Human, with Robin Williams. Away from comedy, Gavin has appeared in TV dramas such as Monarch of the Glen and The Field of Blood. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gavin is now embarking on an intimate tour, presenting an up close and personal show where audiences will be taken on a journey through his illustrious 30 plus year career in entertainment. With behind-the-scenes stories and insight from years of working in theatre, film, TV and radio, this is a chance for fans to engage with a beloved figure in Scottish entertainment. There are even a limited number of VIP meet and greet tickets available, giving a handful of fans the opportunity to meet Gavin in-person before the show. Gavin Mitchell - Look Who It Isnae - Show Image 1 Ahead of his show, Gavin said, "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share stories from my glorious career, whilst spilling the beans on all the behind-the-scenes gossip from Still Game. It's going to be an unforgettable experience for the fans, and for me as well!"
