AS BENNY Young speaks of how much he admires the work of playwright Rob Drummond a smile emerges, suggesting a punch line.

“I’ve always liked Rob’s work and he flattered me when he said that while writing this play he had me in mind,” says the actor.

“Although when you see this play you’ll wonder if that’s actually a compliment.”

Benny is set to star in Eulogy, the sequel to the writer’s Top Table, play of six years ago.

It featured dad Sandy ruining his daughter’s wedding with a speech that cut open the family secrets like a tin of beans.

Now, Sandy is gone (although he appears on film) but the eulogy is being performed by his brother, the Reverend Munro. (Benny).

It’s a role that demands the Reverend lie throughout; how can the he tell the truth when he knows the real story?

But as the minister speaks in generous voice, the dead brother’s wife (Joyce Falconer) turns up and proceeds to tell it like he was.

“Yes, the minister has to find the positives in his brother’s life,” says Benny, smiling.

The actor agrees ministers and priests often have to recalibrate and re-present the deceased’s life.

“I remember my own father’s funeral,” the actor recalls, grinning.

“The minster had never met my father in his life and began speaking about him in a certain way; ‘He liked this, he like that, and he was helpful . . .’

“And my mother and I suddenly looked at each other in disbelief thinking ‘No, he was many things but helpful he was not’.”

Benny Young is perfect to play the minister with the divided sense of self – and purpose.

He’s an actor who has long delved into the complexities of the human condition. He believes no one is one thing or the other. But shades of colours.

“I’ve played the Devil a few times as well,” he says grinning. “And yes, I have played many dark characters.”

Indeed, he’s portrayed Nazi chief Heinrich Himmler. And Moors murderer Ian Brady, in BBC Alba docu-drama The Right To Die?

Yet, while Benny loves the roles which take him to the edges of human behaviour he didn’t enjoy playing Brady at all.

“It was horrible,” he says of the experience. “After each performance I felt not right.”

Did the disgust come about because he was in some way entering the mind of the madman?

“I don’t know about that,” he says with a shrug. “This is a job. You just have to try and get as close as you can.”

Benny isn’t a fan of Stanislavsky and Method acting.

“This is why when I talk to students about acting I don’t go along with (themes such as) ‘My character wouldn’t do that.’ And ‘What is my motivation?’

“The truth is you don’t know what a human being will do. A stance can alter from one sentence to another.”

He adds; “What interests me is the fact human beings are unfathomable. And sometimes, a good piece of writing is more truthful that something that’s real.”

Benny, who grew up in Partick and attended RSAMD, returns to his current project and smiles; “Eulogy is not a case in point.” His minister is not a psychopath.

“Rob Drummond has written a very funny play,” he says.

The former National and the Royal Shakespeare company actor has punctuated his career with roles in television – such as Coronation Street and more recently, Still Game.

But a huge smile appears on his face when he talks of his most recent appearance.

“This Christmas I did my first panto ever, at Perth,” he says, in delighted voice.

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing the Emperor.”

However, this year, he’ll be heading back in the direction of darkness.

“Yes, this year I’ll be playing Scrooge for the Citizens’ at the Tramway. I always expect to play Scrooge, but not do panto.”

Last thought; when he slides off to the great theatre in the sky, will he hope the eulogist tells the truth?

"Oh, I don't know about that," he says, grinning.

*Eulogy, Oran Mor, until Saturday.