Angels’ Share
star Gary Maitland swapped the red carpet of Cannes for red bin bags as he went
back to his day job yesterday (Friday). Just two weeks
ago Gary, 28, was rubbing shoulders with celebs at the French film festival
showing of the award-winning Ken Loach flick.
But
yesterday, he clocked on at 7.30am for a shift on a council refuse lorry.
Gary, who has
been a bin man for ten years, might give up his £16,000-a-year job — but only
if he gets the right movie offer.
At the
council depot in Rutherglen, near Glasgow, Gary said: “We are all mates here,
and I have my bit to do like anyone else — being in a movie doesn’t change
that. But I am on the look-out for an agent. Obviously if the right part came
up I would do it.
“But for the
time being I’m happy doing what I’m doing. I’ve been here 10 years. It’s part
of my life.”
Gary was
spotted by director Loach in 2002, who cast him in hit movie Sweet Sixteen with
Martin Compston.
Three years
later he appeared in another Loach movie, Tickets, but kept up the job he’s had
with South Lanarkshire Council since leaving school.
Gary, of
Hamilton, hadn’t expected any more acting work until Loach’s casting director
Kathleen Crawford contacted him on Facebook.
He said: “I
got this message out of the blue asking if I was the same Gary Maitland that
appeared in Sweet Sixteen and Tickets.
“I gave her
my new mobile number and I did a couple of auditions and got the part. I had no
idea it would be such a big role.”
The Angels’ Share follows Robbie, played by
Glasgow-born actor Paul Brannigan, a desperate dad who tries to turn his life
around with a whisky heist with the help of pals, including Albert, played by Gary.
The film,
which won the Jury Prize at Cannes, was shot on location in Glasgow.
Gary, who did
a Higher in drama, said an acting career would be a dream come true.
He said: “It
would be great to work with Ken again. But I would like to work with someone
else as well for the experience, “I would go to River City if they asked me.
I’ve always been into drama — to be a full-time actor would be a dream for me.”
Gary is set
to join up with Loach again for a promotional tour for the movie next month.
He said: “My
bosses have been great, letting me take unpaid leave during filming and letting
me take holiday for the promotional tour.”
Workmate
Kevin Kennedy, 31, from Hamilton, said: “I went to see the film with the
missus. It was brilliant. Gary’s the same guy he’s always been, he does his bit
at work.” Gary added: “I get a bit of banter from the lads but nothing has
changed.”
Source: TheScottish Sun
Also reported
by The Daily Record
Gary Maitland with the cast of The Angels' Share
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