THE new Still Game stage show at the Hydro will be Donald Trump devoid, Brexit bereft and Indy-Ref 2 free. 

Actors Ford Kiernan and Greg Hemphill maintain politics won’t enter the giant arena when the second live show opens on Saturday. 

“This show won’t touch politics,” Greg said. “The idea is that Still Game fans will be able to come along and forget all that’s going on in the world.

“And when people pay for babysitters and come for a good night out we don’t want to disappoint.

“The Hydro will be a place of happiness.”

But what of the content of the show? The pair, who are on their way to selling out a mammoth 15 nights, seem to have had their lips stitched up with fishing line. 

Here’s a thought; given the stage seems much larger this time around, does this suggest greater activity going on up there?

“It does,” Ford said. “We’re going to feature a Ben Hur-style chariot race around the inside of the arena. But we couldn’t get stallions for health and safety reasons so Wiseman’s Dairies are going to lend us four of their big hefty Clydesdales.” 

He’s joking, of course. Probably. But what you can be sure of is that Still Game 2 will be an extravaganza.  And the stage production will feature each of its characters going on a journey. Still Game and sentimentality seldom fail to hold hands. 

“There will be a great storyline running all the way through it,” added Ford.  “And yes, there’s a romance in there,” added, Greg.

“It’s coming up to Valentine’s Day so you can’t not have a love story.”

The live show won’t be recorded. “If you don’t come you won’t see it. We realised last time around that screening it on television didn’t really work. You can’t cut down a two-hour show.”

The pair began writing the outline of the show in Los Angeles last year and wrote for the next few months.  “We wanted it to be fresh,” says Greg. “We didn’t want to cover old ground, but still serve all the old characters.”

And the new characters. But could TV sitcom character Methadone Mick make and appearance at the Hydro?  The pair don’t say but it’s been confirmed Lorraine McIntosh and Bruce Morton have joined the cast.

“Both of them will be great,” added Ford. “They’ve slotted right in, but we can’t say what parts they will play.

“It’s not like we’re a rock band and we’re going to reveal a set list.”

Ford added, smiling; “Honestly, we don’t enjoy not being able to reveal what’s going to be happening.”

“We do a wee bit,” said Greg laughing.  Still Game, the television show, is yet to be confirmed for this year although it seems likely it will  happen.

“We’re just waiting to hear from the BBC in London,” added Greg.  Ford agrees: “They seem super-keen but these things take time.”

lStill Game, The SEC Hydro, February 4-16.