JORDAN Young smiles as takes on the persona of a visiting Martian when describing landing in the West of Scotland as a young actor. “Growing up in Fife I was completely unaware of sectarianism. This isn’t through naivety. It’s through simply not experiencing it. I did become obsessed with football and Rangers yet while I adore Rangers that doesn’t inform my politics, or influence an idea of unionism.”
The River City, currently on a summer break from the soap adds; “Football supporting for me is about a passion for the game. That’s it, although I’ve learned that for many on both sides of the (Old Firm) divide, football supporting goes far deeper.”
Grand Canyon deep, in many cases. The sectarianism conversation has kicked off because this week Young is appearing in David Ireland’s (first ever) play What The Animals Say, at Glasgow’s Oran Mor.
It features two old schoolfriends who bump into each other in the waiting room of the Stranraer to Belfast ferry. Jimmy Culver (Kevin Lennon) is an out of work actor on his way to the biggest audition of his life. Young plays Eddie Harrison, captain of Celtic.
“The actor is very ambitious, grew up in a Loyalist Belfast world but he’s moved a million miles away in terms of his life overview. He’s a Celtic supporting, Guardian-reading socialist. His argument is you can change. On the other hand, the footballer plays for Celtic, but he hates them. You have to factor in the effect this has had on his life.”
Jordan Young breathes a little sigh; “I’d love to have had more rehearsal time on this play because there are so many layers to it. For example, my character is a bit of a racist, a misogynist. You also have to play the fact he has charm and is likeable.”
You know however that actors of the class of Young and Lennon will bring the play to life.
“The first couple of lines my character says are ‘Wow!’ he says. “They’re a bit shocking. But there’s a reality attached to them. You know that is how some people talk.”
The play is also about how we perceive success. “The actor puts his opinions on the footballer. He says ‘It’s okay for you, you have wealth and fame.’ That’s true. But we realise because of his background life isn’t a bed of roses.”
Young grins; “It’s a bit like we all imagine Brad Pitt has it all, the most wonderful life. But it’s not always the case.” Indeed. Angelina told him to sling it. “That’s exactly right. We can’t assume perfection. No one gets that.”
The actor offers a personal example. “My gran died a week ago, and it brings the notion of mortality in a sharp focus. When you’re young you think everyone will live for 200 years but then you discover reality. It’s a reminder that on the days you may feel a bit tired and don’t always want to make the effort to drive to see friends or whatever but you should. And when you do, you realise that’s what life is about.”
Jordan Young, who is set to star in panto at the King’s Theatre Edinburgh this year, from his lengthy stint in Aberdeen, has a perfectly positioned value system.
His central focus is on family and life in Lenzie. His recent social media pic with wife and two daughters radiates more happiness than a Hallmark card. And friends are crucial. Yet, The play is directed by Sally Reid, who happens to be his Scot Squad partner in crime-fighting, and one of Youngs’s best friends in real life. How did he take to taking orders from someone he has a wonderful play fighting relationship with?
“Not very well,” he says, laughing. “Sally was really strong. And in the rehearsal room the director is like a football manager so if I questioned her decisions – and I did a few times – her attitude was ‘If you don’t like it I can sub you.’ Well, she couldn’t actually sub me but I felt it nonetheless.”
Did she let you be right sometimes? “In a few small things,” he says, with mock pain in his voice. “But that’s because she knew I would go in a huff and it wasn’t worth the trouble.”
In more serious voice he adds; “But creatively she great. She would explain her decisions, and we could compromise.”
During tea break the pair would go back to being pals. “I was concerned I was giving her a hard time. At tea break I’d say ;You don’t think I’m a di***, do yo u?’ And she’d laugh and say ‘Shut up, you are a d***.’ It’s been great.”
What The Animals Say, Oran Mor, Glasgow, until Saturday.
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