Brian Beacom

THE LOOK on the faces of Graeme Rooney’s fellow drama college students must have been priceless.

Graeme Rooney turned up at the hallowed halls of Glasgow’s Scottish Academy of Music and Drama on that first day wearing a Celtic top.

He wasn’t making a political statement, or indeed declaring an undying allegiance to a team that transcended sartorial decorum.

He was just daft.

“The funny thing was on that first day another new boy turned up wearing a Ranger top,” says Graeme, grinning.

“The other students thought this was some sort of plan on our part, but it wasn’t the case.

“It was just a case of two dafties not really thinking about what they were doing.”

Right now, Graeme is starring in the touring production The Play That Goes Wrong, playing a character who doesn’t really think about what he’s doing either.

It’s the story of an am-dram outfit’s attempts to stage a 1920s’ murder mystery.

But as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong – does.

Graeme plays Trevor, the sound and lighting man who ends up getting involved in the show, but with no intention of ever doing so.

“He’s not that fussed at being part of the am dram outfit he’s with,” Graeme explains.

“In fact, he’s very surly.

“And it’s fair to say Trevor is not a natural actor. In fact, he’s as far from an actor as possible. He’s very much a bloke. The last thing he would ever dream of doing is performing.

“And when all of this starts to get wrong it’s the worst thing that could happen to him.”

Graeme smiles as he admits there is a little bit of the Trevor in himself.

“When I went to drama school I was a bit like Trevor would have been had he gone. Not totally prepared for what was happening around me.”

Graeme however had done some acting.

“I really fancied doing sports originally, but the simple truth was I wasn’t good enough.

“And because I always enjoyed being a bit of an idiot, having a laugh with mates I began doing shows.”

He worked as an entertainer in hotels in Majorca and in am-dram back home in Blairgowrie

“ I went on to do some random pantos and a guy in the town who ran the theatre company - and had been to the RSAMD - really encouraged me along the way.

“He suggested I apply to drama college, even though I was very rough around the edges.”

Graeme’s mentor in Blairgowrie had noticed his protégé’s edges were indeed a little less than smooth.

“I can remember before my RSAMD auditions being told, ‘Remember, Graeme, no swearing.’”

But talent won out and Graeme found himself at drama college. And since graduating has worked fairly continuously.

He’s had roles in the likes of Holby City and he once mugged Jamesie Cotter in Rab C. Nesbitt.

“You name it, I was a nasty character in it,” he says, grinning.

In 2009, he co-wrote, The Ginge, The Geordie and the Geek sketch show with two pals.

The Edinburgh Festival production was a big hit which was transformed into television on BBC2.

“I never really took to Shakespeare,” he says. “I’ve always been drawn to comedy.”

He has been granted his wish. But the attention that comes with appearing on television isn’t always positive.

Graeme was married to Hollyoaks star Sophie Austin who played Lindsey Roscoe in the series, and their wedding made the pages of Hello! magazine.

The pair had had a long-term relationship, but a short-term marriage.

Now, it you search for Graeme’s name on the internet most of his references are Hollyoaks star related.

How does he deal with that?

“It’s fine,” he says. “As long as you don’t get too involved with it. The people that matter to me don’t really read those stories.”

He seems the sort to surf the waves of life’s problems.

“Yes, mostly I’m pretty calm,” he says. “You just get on with things and see what comes along.

“And right now I’m in a hit play, which is going great.”

But why does the Play That Goes Wrong continue to pack theatres after 12 years on the road.

“I think it’s because it’s not trying to make a political statement or be worthy,” he says of the Olivier Award winner.

“ It’s a play that’s designed to produce laughs.

“There are all sorts of layers of jokes in there, from clever stuff to slapstick.

“There is old-school humour and word play, there is utter nonsense and some great characters, from a tough guy like Trevor to a director who’s very Basil Fawlty-John Cleese like.”

There are currently productions playing in Tokyo, Paris, Budapest and it’s soon to open on Broadway in April.

“It doesn’t matter where we play, the audiences just come along and have a laugh.

“It appeals to all ages, young kids buy into the slapstick while older audiences will pick up the comedy of manners.

“And everywhere we play has produced a great reaction. It’s a really hot ticket and fantastic to appear in.”

He is contracted with the play until August. After that?

“A holiday in Portugal,” he says, laughing.

“That’s as far ahead as I’m thinking.”

• The Play That Goes Wrong, the Theatre Royal, March 6-11.