POLITICS has been described as ‘showbiz for the ugly.’

But what happens when an ego-driven politician enters the world of showbiz for real and joins a TV soap?

And he comes up against a showbiz creature who’s self-importance is every bit as scary as his?

That’s the premise of the first of the Oran Mor season of plays, The Cameo, by DC Jackson and Kieran Lynn.

The story features John Dumfries MP (Steven McNicol).

The MP has lost his seat and he’s hoping a walk on part on Scotland’s top soap Gallus Palace will rehabilitate his tarnished public image.

But he has to film a scene with Angela Laing, Gallus Palace’s Grande Dame who’s a hard-drinking, hard-smoking national treasure who has political ambitions of her own.

Can director Kate (Molly Innes) get these two giant egos to perform for one single scene? Some chance.

Jane McCarry, who stars as nosey parker Isa in Still Game, plays the soap diva Angela.

“The play is about how close politics and showbiz are,” she says, grinning.

“It’s about ego, identity. It’s about self-importance.

"For example, actors on television are picked up, taken to the location, given breakfast and then lunch, and some actors assume it’s because they are important.

“It’s the same with politicians.

"But the reason they are treated like children, overly organised, is because it’s a way of getting the job done, making sure it all comes together.”

Jane is delighted to be playing Angela.

“She’s described as being third only to Nicola Sturgeon and Elaine C. Smith as Scotland’s most trusted woman.

“Angela is a powerful creature, and totally unfiltered.

"She says what she thinks and how can you not enjoy playing someone like her?”

Did Jane, who is also a drama teacher, have any giant ego actresses in mind when rehearsing the role?

“Oh, loads,” she says, laughing.

“I’ve haven’t had to do much research.

“And to be honest, I have known the actresses, like Angela, who gargle brandy because she ‘needs to get her voice working.’

“I’ve met the actresses who call everybody ‘darling’, and it’s not always about being affection. Sometimes it’s because they can’t be bothered remembering other people’s names.

“That’s why in this play, even though the director’s name is Kate, I call her Claire. I just don’t register her real name.”

The play is a comedy, but of course there’s drama to drive it along.

“It’s all about will they get through this show because these two are continually driving it off course.”

Jane adds; “And it works because there’s a truth to it, that showbiz and politics aren’t that far apart.”

The Cameo is Jane’s first Oran Mor play.

“I’ve worked on an Oran Mor panto in the past. It was my favourite panto I’ve every done," she says.

“I love being on the stage and looking into the audience.

"Yes, it can be a wee bit scary but it’s great to be so close. And you get a real energy coming back at you in this sort of space.

“I love the fact you can do an hour at lunchtime and then you can go home and pick up the kids."

Jane is back in panto this year, at the Ayr Gaiety, in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Once again, she’s playing the Fairy, and you suspect there will be more than a semblance of Isa appearing from time to time.

“I’ve always wanted to play the Gaiety. But you can get three shows in a day, starting at 10am," she says.

“And my husband and oldest son have their birthdays at Christmas so I feel a bit guilty.”

She adds, laughing; “You’d think I’d have factored in panto at the moment of the son’s conception. But that’s what alcohol does for you.”

Jane’s next project however is touring with Rapture Theatre in the Arthur Miller play The Last Yankee.

“When I read about my character she is described as ‘Small, frail and thin’ and I thought ‘Yes!’ It’s the first time I’ve ever been offered such a role and I decided I’d do it without reading the rest.”

Still Game partner Mark Cox is writing a play for both of them to star in, which they’re planning to tour.

There is no update on Still Game’s return to television however.

“All we know is the BBC are interested in it,” she says.

For the moment, her focus is on becoming a brandy-swigging ego on legs.

“She’s great,” says Jane.

“And if I were going to see a play in Oran Mor I’d want to see a play like this.”