What's On Scotland: Laura Boyd interviews Jane McCarry, who played Isa in Still Game

Robyn’s Nest Café on Maryhill Road in Glasgow was my meeting place for a cuppa and a catch up with actress Jane McCarry.

We couldn’t think of a better place given it’s also the spot where she shot many a scene for Still Game as everybody’s favourite nosey neighbour and gossip queen, Isa Drennan.

Over a GIANT chocolate éclair – well, when in Rome/Maryhill – we settled down for a chat about Jane’s forthcoming one woman show, which will see her travel the length and breadth of the country, telling tales of everything from her stage work to her beloved mum and dad who inspired many of the characters she has played.

“A few months ago, I decided to do a few ‘Evening With Jane McCarry’ shows and I was awful scared. What was I going to say for a full hour? Well, cut to it and it was like ‘Stop! That’s plenty!’.

“The best bit is talking to everybody afterwards, cause you know I like to talk.”

She certainly does and it’s one of the things that makes Jane so endearing – and her fascinating stories of her stage career, time on Still Game and life so engaging.

“I like to think you would laugh and have a wee bubble, so my best advice is to bring a Tena lady and then you’re safe either way!”

Jane is 52 now, still significantly younger than many of her starring roles. She recalled a hilarious moment when she was in her 30s, playing Isa and breastfeeding her son on set, aptly in Robyn’s Nest.

“My friend came in with my baby boy at lunch time and I was sat over there in the corner, dressed as Isa, breastfeeding!

“I remember Sanjeev (Kohli who played Navid in Still Game) went ‘this is a terrible thing to witness!’.”

I love Jane’s stories of her time on Still Game, including the time she used to eat cola bottles between scenes on Navid’s shop set.

One day, she asked Sanjeev: “What are the wee black things in this box?” He had no idea but later, after asking a set designer the same thing, she was informed that they were rats’ droppings. That’s after she’d eaten half the box!

It certainly won’t be a dull night with Jane on stage, the dates for which can be found here.

Catch up with What’s On Scotland on the STV Player.