BY Brian Beacom

JANE McCarry is set to appear in Nativity! - the Musical, in Glasgow next week.

And the Still Game star – she plays nosey-faced gossip-spreader Isa in the series – is delighted to be playing the role of Hollywood Producer in the show.

It’s a chance to cast of Isa Drennan’s cardie and glam up for Christmas, in Joan Collins’- Alexis shoulder pads and high heels.

However, while the show reveals the sheer delights of Santa-time, via a storyline featuring a school’s nativity play, Jane’s own Christmas time experiences haven’t always arrived covered in Tinsel and fairy lights.

“Christmas is usually about work for me,” says the panto star who will be back at the Beacon Theatre this year, starring as the evil Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty.

“I haven’t had Christmas Day or New Year’s Day off since 1992.

“And it’s been difficult for my boys (now almost 17 and 14) because their birthdays are at that time, but they’re sort of used to it.”

The actress, who lives in the south side, adds; “They would come and see me in panto, so at least they had that.”

When Jane was growing up, Christmas time wasn’t a Disney experience.

“It wasn’t such a big deal,” she says with a wry smile.

“We’d get an annual, either the Jackie or the Bunty, a selection box and a small toy and that was it.”

Does she agree the west of Scotland is rife with Santa stories feauturing acute disappointment?

“I remember I wanted a bike for Christmas, and I got one. But it was my cousin Pat’s old bike, and it was all chipped and bashed. And it was covered in Gonks she’d stuck on.”

She adds, grinning; “My parents hadn’t even bothered to paint it or remove the Gonks! And at this time I was still a believer in Santa.

“But when I said to my mum ‘That’s Pat’s old bike. It’s her Raleigh 20,’ my mother denied it outright. ‘Not a bit of it,’ she insisted. But it was.”

There were other Tinseltime let downs.

“One year I went to the cash n’ carry with my Auntie Millie, and she bought this huge Santa decoration on a string. And I can remember having to pass comment, pretending it was so nice.

“Then on Christmas morning I was really excited, because my present was in a huge box.

“Yet, when I opened it was that same Santa on a string.

“My mum had taken my not-being-rude fake enthusiasm, and had gone back to the cash n’carry and bought me this same decoration.

“My wee heart sank when I opened the box. I can remember thinking ‘This is pure rubbish.’”

Of course, sometimes cheaper presents were purchased out of financial necessity.

Jane, an only child, explains; “When I was wee my mum and dad bought a house so they didn’t have a lot of money. But then, lots of my friends were in the same boat.”

Does she spoil her boys, Iain and Alexander?

“Well, not really. And the youngest did get a lot of second hand toys. But of course the days of a box of Lego are gone.”

She adds, laughing; “And Playdough was wonderful, until the dog ate the head off the snowman they’d made with it, and we worried the dog was going to die.”

Now, her boys “want phones and Xboxes.” Jane reflects; S “It’s all very different from my dad’s day, when he used to get a tooth brush and a tangerine. And that was it.”

Jane loves the idea of appearing in Nativity!, all glammed up.

But the appearance has a slight downside.

Her Isa make-up, meant that she’s become super successful, without fans knowing what she really looks like.

she’s been able to fly under the public radar.

Playing the Hollywood Producer will reveal her true face to the world.

“I got a taxi in today and the driver said to me ‘Do you work at the Theatre Royal?’ and I said I was coming in to meet someone. (Me). He then said ‘What is it you do?’

“I said I did theatre. And he asked if I had been in something he might have seen me in.”

She grins; “I quite like that anonymity. But then, it’s lovely to play a role such as this. And use an American accent.”

Of course, Isa is set to reappear on our screens in the New Year.

Jane will miss her crotchety character. The nation will. Does she think she will ever reappear?

“You should never look back. And there are lots of projects on the go for next year. And I will miss her. But I’ll miss the Still Game boys more.”

But we need an Isa, Jane. She can’t be gone forever?

She adds, laughing; “I could still dress up as Isa in my house. And if you miss her too badly you can come round and I’ll do the voice.”

Nativity- The Musical, November 7-11, the King’s Theatre