ANDY Paterson could be forgiven if he feels he’s losing the plot a little this month.

The actor who lives in Renfrewshire is appearing at the Edinburgh Festival in an incredible THREE very different roles, including a sixties political activist, an 18th century lawyer, and a female chef.

“It’s just the way it’s all worked out,” says the actor, smiling. “But I couldn’t be happier.”

The first role sees Andy play the part of SNP activist Willie MacRae in 3000 Trees, the story of the Scots lawyer who met a mysterious end.

MacRae was said to have killed himself in 1985, shooting himself in the head. But two bullets had been fired. There were no fingerprints on the gun and somehow his car moved a huge distance after he was shot.

“It’s a play I wrote a couple of years ago,” says Andy, “and it was so successful I’m taking it back to Edinburgh.

“I really do have a great fondness for Willie. His is such a fascinating story.”

Andy’s second stage role sees him visit Glasgow in 1780 to play a very different type of character.

The actor stars as Enoch Dalmellington in The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer, Iain Heggie’s very clever comedy tale in which Dalmellington yearns for the restoration of Scotland's independence; but just can't resist investing in the lucrative colonial trade made possible by the Union.

And he loses a fortune in the process.

“I’ve known Iain Heggie since I was at drama school,” says Andy.

“I first heard the play on Radio Four and almost split my sides listening to it. I loved the idea of appearing in it but at the same time I’m always conscious of asking friends to do their work.

“But while I was touring with 3000 Trees I met up with Iain and during a chat he asked me if I’d be interesting in doing The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer.

“And that was it. I think the writing is fantastic and it sparkles on the page.”

Andy adds; “I love the predictions of the fortune teller, Madame Zapata, who declares Glasgow will one day house a million souls. And the student population will succumb to ‘epidemics of the syphilis’.

“The debate about Scottish independence is part of the play, and it’s fascinating to see how it featured back in 1780.”

The third role Andy takes on will see him play a woman.

“I’ll be appearing in a lunchtime TV show, being recorded by David Henry and the Scottish Broadcasting Company, going out at nights on the Sky Showbiz Channel.

“I play the chef, Mary Hairy, so I will be in drag. She is one of the lunchtime chat show hosts who will also be doing recipes.

“It should be great fun.”

Andy Paterson’s three Edinburgh roles suggest a great energy and confidence. But that wasn’t always the case.

Growing up in Perth, acting was never an option. Andy had a very pronounced stammer, which still appears in conversation.

“Yes, it’s true. I’ve had it since I was a child, and it was really severe. I think it was brought on by a prolonged period of being harassed and bullied at school.

“I had so little self-confidence when I was young. And in a way it became the perfect shield. It gave me the perfect excuse for not speaking to people.

“I was embarrassed, and so I kept quiet. For a long time I could never seem to shake it.”

A couple of things happened to see Andy’s speech improve.

“I met my wife, Clare, and she really brought me out of myself,” he says, his buoyant voice reflecting the delight in his relationship.

“Another thing which happened was when I was a magazine journalist, I was at a very boring press conference and one group chairman got up to speak but he had a worse stammer than I had.

“Yet, he didn’t give a monkeys. He exuded such self-confidence, and I thought ‘You know what, I’m going to try and care less’.”

Father-of-three Andy decided to give up journalism and applied for Glasgow’s Royal Conservatoire at the age of forty-seven.

He graduated from the Royal Conservatoire in 2011, and has since worked consistently, including writing and performing his own work.

Amazingly, Andy’s stammer disappears the moment he speaks on stage.

“That’s true. And I’ve since realised there are a lot of performers who have stammers, such as Nicholas Parsons and Sam Neill.”

But is there a danger three acting gigs will prove to be too much? Could his head blow up?

“I hope not,” he says smiling. “Luckily I feel 3000 Trees is embedded in my brain, and The Tobacco Merchant’s Lawyer is coming along fine. “

He adds, grinning; “And I’m sure my Mary Hairy will take care of herself.”

• 3000 Trees: The Death of Mr William MacRae, Yes Café South, Venue 325, Liberton Dams, Edinburgh, August 4-28 (except 16) at 9pm.

• The Tobacco Merchant's Lawyer, Venue 7, The New Town Theatre, Freemasons Hall, George Street Edinburgh, August 4-28, (except 16) at 6.15pm.

• Edinburgh Festival Live, Sky Channel 266, 11pm.

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