Siobhan Reilly

Actress Siobhan Reilly who is up for a Scottish Bafta for The Angel's Share

From the Daily Record, 11 November:
Angels' Share star is up for Scottish Bafta but still works as teacher
Down to earth Siobhan Reilly will next week combine teaching her primary class and attending the British Academy Scotland Awards where she has been nominated for her role in the Ken Loach film.

ANGELS' SHARE star and Bafta nominee Siobhan Reilly yesterday looked forward to a busy week – teaching her primary class.
But, as well as planning lessons for her school pupils, she has also got to attend the British Academy Scotland Awards – the Scottish Baftas – where she has been nominated for her role in Ken Loach’s award-winning film.
Siobhan, 29, has been nominated for the best film actor/actress alongside her co-star Paul Brannigan and James Cosmo for Citadel.
Win or lose, it’s going to make for an interesting day at Petersburn Primary School in Airdrie, where pupils and colleagues are wishing her well.
She said: “The kids know. I think a lot of parents have watched it first and showed them little sections which I have been in where there is not much swearing or they have seen the trailer. So everyone has seen some bit of it.
“It was funny. One of the boys said to his mum, ‘I recognise her face, I don’t know where I know her from.’
“I had been teaching him for three months. Then somebody at school told him and he said to me, ‘Miss Riley, are you in a film?’
“The kids love it. They are really excited by it and I keep them up-to-date with all the gossip and awards and things. The staff as well – they are so supportive.
“The kids and teachers have brought in their copies of the DVD so I can sign them. Maybe we can do an auction at the Christmas fair and make some money for the school.”
The Angels’ Share – which won the Great Scot Entertainment Award – was directed by Loach and written by Scots writer Paul Laverty.

The cast of Paul Laverty, Siobhan Reilly, William Ruane and Jasmin Riggins

It follows the story of Robbie – played by Brannigan – who vows to turn over a new leaf following the birth of his son to girlfriend Leonie, played by Siobhan.
A visit to a whisky distillery inspire an audacious plan to get the cash for a new start.
The film has won critical acclaim and has propelled Siobhan, who had previously appeared in The Bill and films such as The Clan, back into acting after taking two years out to train as a teacher.
She said: “I’ve trained as an actor and a teacher. My first degree was in acting at what was then the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.
“I acted for a few years, then went back and did a post-grad degree in teaching at Glasgow University.
“I’d just finished my probation year as a teacher when I heard about The Angels’ Share.
“It was like a nice jigsaw, all fitting together.”
Siobhan is looking forward to teaming up with her co-stars again, including fellow nominee Brannigan, whose tough upbringing in the east end of Glasgow with drug addict parents has made headlines since the film was released.
She said: “All the cast were lovely and that’s where Ken is really clever – he matches personalities.
“Working with Paul, we just had a really good bond, a good connection, and I think it came across on camera.

Siobhan connected with co-star Paul Brannigan

“It is great getting to go to things like the Baftas because we all get together again and have a good laugh. There were more shenanigans offset than there was on camera.”The Angels’ Share also took Siobhan to the Cannes Film Festival, where it was given a rousing reception by critics and film fans alike.
She said: “Cannes was amazing and at the première the audience gave us a 10-minute standing ovation.
“I said to Ken, ‘These people are really nice’. And he said, ‘If they hadn’t liked it, they would have booed us out the door’.”
Siobhan has been working as a supply teacher since shooting finished and fitting in auditions and filming elsewhere, which has included a role in an upcoming episode of River City.
She said: “I have been teaching for the last year-and-a-half. At the moment, I am doing supply but I am also working on River City. So I was teaching Monday, at River City Tuesday, teaching Wednesday, Thursday, then back at River City on Friday – that’s been my week.
“I try to shuffle the two careers. At the minute, it is going well because supply work can be really flexible but it is like two different worlds.”
Siobhan is delighted with her Bafta nomination and wants to continue both careers for as long as possible.
She said: “It feels like an honour to be nominated and I am chuffed.
“Acting is a great job and I would love to do as much as possible but I do enjoy teaching. It keeps you in touch with real life. Whatever is meant to happen will happen.”

• The British Academy Scotland Awards are on Sunday (18 Nov). See www.bafta.org/scotland

Source (including photos): Daily Record