Alannah O'Sullivan performs "the Lamplighter".
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....
Coffee Song
John Cairney and Alannah O'Sullivan perform a duet.
From a Railway Carriage
John and Alannah perform this lovely piece together.
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!
Hamlet
John discusses his own addition to Shakespearean lore with his portrayal of Hamlet and that famous soliloquy.
Autographs - Muhammad Ali
John discusses autographs and the day he met Muhammad Ali in Chicago back in the great boxer's heyday. John and Muhammad Ali traded poetry as they walked along the streets.
Jason And The Argonauts
John recalls his experiences filming the classic movie "Jason and the Argonauts" on location in Italy with Ray Harryhausen.
Here I am with many more curls! This was the scene where I faced the monster.
And my death scene!
Here is an audio interview with Ray from 2005 that shows the great man's charm: "Ray Harryhausen Interview".
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."
"Do You Mind?"
Do you mind when the sun used to shine all day? John recites "Do you mind?".
The Children of Robert Burns
Discusses a frequently asked question about how many children Robert Burns had.
"A Night To Remember"
John Cairney talks about filming the HMS Titanic movie "A Night To Remember".
Titanic - A Night to Remember trailer:
"Windom's Way"
"Ill Met By Moonlight"
One of the perks of the actors trade is filming on location and it can't get any better than filming in the south of France. This was where I filmed "Ill Met By Moonlight" with Dirk Bogarde.
IMDB: Ill Met By MoonlightIf 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.