Men and Women in the Theatre

I am by profession and inclination and actor. But I am a stage actor. Let me tell you something about the theatre. It is principally the province of the audience not the actor. The actor is merely to serve the audience as it comes in. The audience gathers and becomes a mass. They start in their seats as elbow strangers but ultimately they become one entity.

Ivor Novello

Ivor Novello was a Welsh born actor, singer and composer who became one of the most successful entertainers in Britain during the early 20th Century. Now, I was playing Ivor Novello one time and during the singing of one of the great songs, I had to have a heart attack. So when the moment came....

Advice to a young friend

I Lang hae thought, my youthfu' friend, A something to have sent you, Tho' it should serve nae ither end Than just a kind memento: But how the subject-theme may gang, Let time and chance determine; Perhaps it may turn out a sang: Perhaps turn out a sermon.

Ye'll try the world soon, my lad; And, Andrew dear, believe me, Ye'll find mankind an unco squad, And muckle they may grieve ye: For care and trouble set your thought, Ev'n when your end's attained; And a' your views may come to nought, Where ev'ry nerve is strained.

I'll no say, men are villains a'; The real, harden'd wicked, Wha hae nae check but human law, Are to a few restricked; But, Och! mankind are unco weak, An' little to be trusted; If self the wavering balance shake, It's rarely right adjusted!

Lord Rosebery

John Cairney recites a verse by Robert Burns:
'Lord Rosebery to his lady said,
"My hinnie and my succour,
Shall we dae the thing, ye ken,
Or shall we have our supper?"
Wi' modest face, sae fu' o' grace,
Replied the bonie lady,
'My noble lord may do as he please,
But supper isnae ready."

If I Had My Life To Live Over

If I had my life to live over 

I'd live it 

Not give it
 

Up to safety 

And the sensible way. 

I'd make more mistakes 

Take more chances
 

Make sure my troubles were real
 

And not imagined 

They would then be worth the bother.

"Glasgow By The Way..."

Some books just write themselves and this was true of "Glasgow By The Way, But". Celebrating a city, it says, and I think that is what I tried to do with this. Do you like the painting on the front? That is mine too.

A man to entertain and edify.
 Take your pick -- John Cairney as actor, presenting solo shows for your pleasure.
 Or Dr John Cairney, scholar, 
offering lectures for your information.
 Or as both, in after-dinner speeches.

Hello World

Hello World! This is John Cairney talking to you from my world. Thank you very much for visiting, I hope you'll do it often.

A man to entertain and edify.
 Take your pick -- John Cairney as actor,
 presenting solo shows for your pleasure.
 Or Dr John Cairney, scholar,
 offering lectures for your information.
 Or as both, in after-dinner speeches.