SCOTTISH actor Paul Higgins says he doesn’t use social media much but, as with anything, there are exceptions to every rule.
Last year, he understandably had to share a scene with one of the most famous faces to ever grace the small screen – Lisa Simpson.
“It was so surreal. I didn’t mind putting it out on social media because it’s such a novelty,” the actor told The National after finishing rehearsals for his new play This is Memorial Device.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon shocked to be seen with 'new Bond actor' Aaron Taylor-Johnson
As well as that short but memorable role in The Simpsons, Higgins is also known for his time on Line of Duty as well as political comedy The Thick of It.
Ahead of opening night, the actor spoke with The National about his latest role, his time playing a sweary Downing Street press officer, and that Simpsons cameo.
This is Memorial Device
Higgins explains that his latest role is familiar to him, having also performed a version of the play at the Fringe a couple of years ago.
Based on the book by David Keenan and directed by Graham Eatough, it recounts the fictional history of legendary 1980s post-punk band Memorial Device.
Having amassed something of a cult following since its release in 2017, Higgins can’t wait for opening night on March 27 at the Tron Theatre in Glasgow.
“I hadn’t read the book or heard of it, even though it’s set in Airdrie and in a time when I was young or at least younger than I am now,” he says.
“It’s only one actor in the play in the flesh and Graham has done a fantastic job of adapting.”
Although it opens in Glasgow, the play will also be touring around the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh, the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen and Riverside Studios in London.
More information on tickets can be found HERE and Higgins says the most exciting thing is seeing keeping an eye on how the audience reacts.
“When we did it at the Fringe, the audience responded incredibly well. I think it’s unusual in what it tries to do,” he explains.
“It’s entertaining, it’s funny but you go on a journey to very unexpected places and that includes me.
“It’s so demanding but to find audiences really respond to it and be given another chance in Glasgow, and everywhere else, is really a dream.”
Reflecting on Jamie MacDonald
Many will likely recognise Higgins for his portrayal of Jamie MacDonald – the foul-mouthed press officer at Number 10 in hit BBC comedy The Thick of It as well as the feature-length film In The Loop.
He formed half of the “Caledonian Mafia” with Malcolm Tucker, so brilliantly brought to life by Peter Capaldi (below).
“I loved it. I did some hour-long specials which I really enjoyed because there was more scope for the characters,” Higgins says.
When asked recently about whether he’d be keen on rebooting the show, Capaldi told LBC he felt politics had grown too serious – does his old co-star agree?
“I do actually. Obviously you have Trump who is beyond belief, he is literally beyond parody that man, but so is Boris Johnson.
“He’s not quite beyond parody but he was getting there. They were two of the biggest liars to ever be in power.”
READ MORE: Scottish islands landscapes inspire pollution and ecological play
That being said, he doesn’t say that satire is completely dead, noting that Sunak and Starmer don’t quite have the same pantomime villain qualities as those he mentioned.
“Whatever you think of them, I don’t think they’re ‘arch villains’ like those two were. So maybe there will be a place for something like The Thick of It in the future.
“But the pandemic and everything was just unbelievable and then you have people like Putin standing for election and pretending he’s thrilled to win – it really is hard to make comedy about that.”
The Simpsons cameo
Understandably, a smile comes across Higgins’ face when he’s asked about the dialogue he provided for an episode of The Simpsons where the iconic family heads to Edinburgh.
He voiced both Hamish MacWeldon and the Ticket Booth actor in a scene which satirises what people can expect from the Fringe.
Just a scene between me and Lisa Simpson, that’s all https://t.co/pFOgxzsAkn
— Paul Higgins (@phigster) December 5, 2023
The memory of being offered the part is crystal clear, with Higgins saying he got a letter from his agent with The Simpsons logo on its header.
“I said, of course I’ll do it. I mean, what a dream because I love The Simpsons and it’s a really funny little scene,” he says.
“I didn’t mind putting it out there on Twitter because it’s such a novelty. In the titles, my own name appears next to Bart Simpson so I’m in a scene with Lisa and my name is over Bart.
“So I can probably retire on that.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here