Brian Beacom

SALLY Reid faces the rather demanding challenge of playing three women, from three different generations, in her latest play.

But such is the lady’s talent, as revealed in the likes of TV’s Scot Squad or in theatre productions such as the James Plays, there is little doubt she will convince entirely.

Sally’s teenager, mother and grandmother all appear in this week’s Oran More production Confessional.

It’s a teen rites of passage tale set in the eighties, featuring young Catholic boy Kevin, telling of his adventures in love and the choices he has to make in life.

But will he be able to follow his dreams and be as one with this wondrous creature?

Or will be pulled in the direction of the priesthood?

“He’s at the point in life where he’s caught in between his responsibilities to the family and his heart,” says Sally.

“Kevin (Cameron Fulton) we learn, has been an altar boy and his uncle is a priest. And there is a bit of pressure on Kevin to consider his future.”

The family all want different things for Kevin, which accounts for the appearance of all the generations on stage.

But when Kevin meets a girl at Communion of all places, his heart leaps.

David Weir’s play features Only An Excuse? star Jonathan Watson, who also plays three characters.

“Johnny plays the priest, Father Ignatius, the dad, a schoolteacher and a granddad.”

Sally, who grew up in Perth, adds; “Since the play is set in the eighties we have lots of fun going back there.”

The actress loves the nostalgia of the period.

“There is a big resurgence of the period which is seen as cool again.

“I loved the music, such as Ah-ha and Michael Jackson and moves such as Back To The Future and Dirty Dancing.

“And there is a Ferris Bueller element to this play when Kevin talks about the pressure of what to do with your life.”

Did Sally feel the same pressure as a teenager? “Possibly. I liked school, although I wasn’t that academic. But I was going to go to university until a youth theatre leader said I should think about going into acting.”

As a teenager did she go through lots of heartbreak? Was her heart ever kicked up and down the road?

“Not so much as my friends,” she says with a thankful smile. “I had a regular boyfriend right through school.

“I guess I was always the friend, the confidante everyone came to in times of trouble.”

She adds, smiling; “I still play that same role.”

And whatever happened to her young man? “I’ve no idea. I’ve never seen him since. Not even on Facebook. Then when I moved to Glasgow I never felt like looking back.”

Sally Reid’s career has continued to move forward. Over the years she’s appeared in a huge range of theatre roles.

She toured Australia, Canada and the UK with the James Plays, bringing a delightful comedic touch to her role of the handmaiden.

The actress will be back filming Scot Squad in the summer, teaming up again with River City’s Jordan Young.

“The last series seemed to be even more successful and we’re getting a handle on the improve now.

“We get a basic story line and then work from there. And it’s taken time to settle into that way of working. But Jordan and I have such a great relationship it makes it easier.”

She will be appearing in the Ionesco farce Rhinocerous at the Edinburgh Festival. It’s a tremendous challenge.

“It’s great fun and I can’t wait to take this on. And it will be interesting to work with the Turkish director.”

Sally adds; “It’s great to be part of the acting community in Scotland, and sometimes you get jobs because you’re known, but this wasn’t the case with Rhinocerous.

“It’s nice to be recognised outside your circle.”

The director will learn Sally Reid is a guarantee, a talent who can straddle genres and generations.

“Now, I’m playing the granny, the girl and the mum, and I could feasibly be a mum to a 15 year-old. She adds, grinning; “But don’t put that in the paper.”

*Confesssional, Oran Mor, until Saturday.