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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.