Brian Beacom

THERE’S a grade-one idiot sitting in front of me sipping coffee.

A top-of-the-class dunce, a man who simply defines daftness.

And Paul-James Corrigan is entirely happy to be described as such.

The actor from North Lanarkshire has worked hard to achieve a level of professional stupidity few have managed to attain.

Now, after serving his time as a stooge in the likes of Edinburgh and Greenock’s Beacon theatre, former River City star PJ has had his wish granted.

He’s back at the King’s panto, with a bigger role.

It’s the stage which has been graced by the likes of the cleverest clowns over the years, from Stanley Baxter to Rikki Fulton to Gerard Kelly.

Now, Paul-James is starring in Aladdin, and it’s a testimony to his talent he’s landed himself one of the best gigs of the panto calendar.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he says, smiling.

“I’m playing the Imperial Guard, who’s actually not very good at being a baddie.

“And I’ve got some really good routines with Johnny (Mac) and Elaine (C.Smith.)”

Did he ever imagine he’d appear in panto at the King’s?

“Well, I didn’t think I’d get to work with an organisation like Qdos (the UK’s biggest panto producer) so soon.

“That’s all down to Elaine. She recommended me to Qdos boss Michael Harrison and thankfully he invited me down for a meeting.

“And I did a bit of Buttons for him and we had a wee chat. And he liked what he saw.”

That meeting led to PJ playing a Lead Dwarf in Snow White in Edinburgh.

“He was a really daft dwarf,” says the actor grinning of the process of learning how to play even dafter.

“We were on our knees the whole time, but with fake feet, the same device used by Lord Farquaad in Shrek.”

He adds, grinning; “It was a bit sore on the knees, but the real hard part was running across the stage with our legs pulled back with a harness. It was the hamstrings that got a bit tight.”

Such was the actor’s success, Michael Harrison said he would keep the actor from Viewpark in mind for the next ‘Daft Boy’ opening.

“I love panto,” he says. “Back in 2004 when I was appearing in The Borrowers at the Citizens’, Elaine (C.Smith) was at the King’s and one of the boys in the Citz’ show said he could get me tickets.

“So he took me along to see Mother Goose at the matinee and he said it would be a chance to meet his uncle.

“Now, I didn’t know who his uncle was but it turned out to be Gerard Kelly.

“I remembered him from City Lights, my dad used to love that show, and after the panto he took us round to the Baby Grand café for fish and chips. He was a lovely, lovely man.”

Kelly had made more of an impression that revealing himself to be generous with his time and money.

“After I saw him work I knew that I wanted to be like him,” says PJ.

“I just thought his ability to handle an audience was incredible.

“He was a force of nature.”

The actor adds; “He showed you can keep on doing it. Age doesn’t really matter if you’re good enough. It’s like the Krankies, who are fantastic, although I don’t think I’ll get a chance to see them because we’re working at the same time.”

PJ, who has starred in sitcom Gary: Tank Commander and in theatre classic Blackwatch, has long been prepared to work hard to develop his comedy skills.

He’s a comedy fan. “ I’ve watched lots of YouTube adventures of Francie and Josie and I’m still watching Rab C. Nesbitt.

“This is the sort of comedy that inspires me. It is absolute genius. That was my comedy growing up.

“I also love to watch Andy Gray and Jordan Young playing the silly parts, which they have been doing it for years. And you can’t fail to learn from the greats such as Allan Stewart.”

He adds, grinning; “I realise I’m the newbie in the King’s family, but it’s great to work with someone like Johnny Mac. And Elaine is my stage maw. I know to listen to people like Elaine, because they know far more than you.”

The former cake factory worker continues to learn.

“When I was down at the Beacon in Greenock working with Scott Fletcher and Gary Lamont (his pals from River City life) I probably did go a bit too daft at times.

“But you learn from that. It’s about getting the balance right.”

PJ is getting fit for his performances. “I’ve just done a 5k with my wee brother, John” he says, “then we went home and rattled the weights.”

He adds, grinning; “He was sick in the toilets. He’s not used to that sort of effort.”

After panto? A wee holiday with theatre producer partner Sarah?

“A wee bit of January sunshine,” he says, smiling in anticipation.”

But first up, five Paul weeks of total silliness. “And I’ll be loving it.”

Aladdin, the King’s Theatre, December 1-6