All Back To Mine with Dave Anderson

A Kick Up The Arts with Nicola Meighan

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Before I go any further, I want to tell you that A Kick Up The Arts is coming to a venue near you, very soon!

I've got some really lovely events to announce in Glasgow, and Edinburgh - and elsewhere across the country - but, for now, I'm delighted to be coming to Aberdeen's fab book festival, Granite Noir, on the 23rd of February, which is a Sunday afternoon, with special guests, and all sorts of chat, and it'll be great fun.

I'll tell you all about it in good time but, for now, I'd love you to join us, if you fancy... you can get tickets via Granite Noir...

But anyway - back to this episode of A Kick Up The Arts: All Back To Mine, where a special guest gives us a virtual night in, round at theirs, choosing a Scottish album to play us, and film to show us, and a book for the end of the evening…

This time, I'm joined by a man who's starred in just so many things I've ever loved - from films like Local Hero, Restless Natives and Gregory's Girl, to TV landmarks like Tutti Frutti - and who can forget him as the suave - or smarmy - and womanising bank manager, Mr McLelland, in City Lights...

The brilliant actor, writer and musician Dave Anderson has variously been a livewire in revolutionary theatre ventures 7:84, Wildcat, and a Play, A Pie and a Pint - often with his long-time, and much-missed sparring partner David MacLennan - and among his myriad songwriting charms, he soundtracked Tony Roper's iconic Glasgow play, The Steamie.

We caught up at Glasgow's Oran Mor - you'll hear the clattering of our teacups, and the busy road outside - and we touched on at least some of Dave's amazing work...

But he also offered us a virtual night in, round at his, choosing us a Scottish album - courtesy of his some-time Wildcat theatre comrade, Michael Marra - and a book, thanks to the superb Chris Brookmyre. He picked a film to show us too, and - spoiler alert - it's one that he starred in, thanks to a fateful pint in the West End of Glasgow.

Dave's an absolute legend in our cultural landscape, and it was such a joy to meet him - and to interview him - for what I'm shocked and appalled to say was the first time. I really hope it's not the last...