WHEN Joanna Kaczynska came Glasgow ten years ago, the Polish actress was smacked on the head by a couple of insights.

The first was that Glaswegians had a lovely dark, self-deprecating sense of humour.

But the second observation of the lady, who's set to star in Billy and Tim and the Wee Glasgow Ghost, wasn't so positive.

"I was shocked to discover there are school buildings divided into Catholic and Protestant sections," she says, her voice reflecting her feeling at the time.

"I could not believe this existed in a country which encourages freedom of speech.

"I was really surprised to see such a level of segregation because in Poland, 93 per cent of the population are Catholic.

"I can remember once at our school in Poznan a Jehova's Witness boy came to class, and he was teased a little.

"But that feeling towards others is nothing like in Glasgow where, before you arrive you are told people will try and find out your religion."

She adds with a tight smile; "That apart, I love living in Glasgow. It's a magical place."

Joanna is discussing the west of Scotland's tribal war because art is now imitating life, thanks to her latest theatre role.

In Des Dillon's new comedy sequel to Billy and Tim, Joanna plays Polish nurse Agnieszka, who works in a medical centre, where she has to treat the Old Firm rivals. (Played by David Alexander and Chris Taylor.)

However the story, directed by the writer, takes a twist the size of Eastern Europe when one innocent young man (Neil Bratchpiece) is brought into the infirmary, stabbed while passing the Old Firm match.

He dies - but makes an appeal to God and is given the chance to remain on Earth - if he can persuade one Old Firm fan to renounce sectarianism.

"My character is there to expose the bigotry," says Joanna of the nurse.

"She's the voice of reason in the play because being an outsider she can't understand why these football fans have such strong antipathy to each other.

"She can't understand why when someone gets stabbed the first question Billy and Tim ask is 'What team did he support?'"

The actress adds; " Sometimes it takes a person from outside a country to see things as they should be.

"My character is, in a gentle way, asking the audience to think about bigotry."

The storyline suggests the play to be as intense and dramatic as Des Dillon's Singing I'm No' A Billy - He's A Tim, which saw the characters contained in jail.

But it has to be said the Wee Glesga Ghost sequel has even more laughs to the minute, and there's a delightful love story thrown in.

It's a comedy with hilarious moments - only Billy and Tim can see the ghost - that will appeal to both sexes.

"I really hope so," says, Joanna. "I think it's a great play. And in rehearsals we all keep coming up with new ideas to make the play even funnier."

Joanna is perfect for the role, and not because she's an authentic Pole.

The lady is a natural entertainer who began performing as a singer aged twelve and two years later joined a theatre group.

She went on to study at Poland's National Theatre Academy and appeared in a television film.

However, she became a household name when she reached the semi-finals of Polish Pop Idol.

"It was one of the nicest experiences I've had," she says.

Yet, Joanna wasn't content to rest on her laurels. She moved to the UK to continue her drama studies develop her English. (The actress is also fluent in Italian and French).

And when her architect husband landed a job in Glasgow the pair headed north.

"I love Glasgow," she enthuses. "When I was fifteen I was introduced to Scottish music and I thought it was great.

"I can't believe I now live in Scotland. It's incredible."

In the past ten years, Joanna has worked on a BBC documentary, appeared in Peter Mullan's Neds, starred at Oran Mor, and appeared in a BBC radio drama with Juliet Stevenson.

Last year, she starred in drama movie Graders. She's also written her own musical play, a tragic love story full of French songs.

Meantime, she's taken time out to study at the Lee Strasberg Method Acting drama school in New York.

And while playing a Polish nurse isn't a huge stretch for Joanna, nor is appearing in a comedy.

"But I do have to change my English delivery," she says, grinning. "The nurse hasn't been in Scotland too long, so I have to pretend my English isn't that great.

She adds, laughing; "Although my Glaswegian is pretty good , it did take me an hour to tune into Des Dillon's Coatbridge."

€¢ Billy and Tim and the Wee Glesga Ghost, the world premiere, the Pavilion Theatre, May 6-23.