Jack Lowden Instagram – Brian McCardie. This is a picture of Brian in rehearsals for a play we did together in 2013. Underneath his blazer is a T-shirt that just reads ‘burn stuff’. He wore it a lot. And that’s what he’s wearing whenever I think of him.
One night, there was a fundraiser for the theatre we were working at, the cast were invited to help drum up sponsors & support. A lot of mingling with high heidyins & rich individuals. We were slowly passed around the room to schmooze money out of people who had plenty to spare. At one point, Brian and I were introduced to a very successful private banker, ‘Jack, Brian…This is Mr So&So and he runs a very large bank.’ The banker and I shook hands & exchanged the usual pleasantries. ‘Well it’s a wonderful theatre. Yes! Sometimes twice a day. I think 1902, but it woulda been gas back then of course.’ Etc etc.
Brian, wearing his BURN STUFF t shirt, shook the banker’s hand, looked him dead in the eye and with that beautiful, low, motor starting, distant thunder voice of his just said…’Giv me stuff.’
Silence……….apart from the sound of me trying to squeeze myself into a champagne flute, the closet place to hide in the panic.
‘Am sorry?’ said the banker, who’d turned off white.
Brian’s eyes hadnt moved. Neither had his grip of the banker’s hand. And without moving, he replied
‘Well..you’ve got loads…so giv us some.’
I can’t remember what happened next, I’d imagine Brian instantly broke the tension with his wee boy sitting-on-a-wall laugh and told the banker ‘Only kidding mate’ before spinning off to find the next cravat to wind up. But for me, it doesn’t matter. Those 10/15 seconds were exhilarating, cos I genuiely didn’t know what was gonna happen next. And that’s what acting with Brian was like. No idea if he was gonna take you to the next line, the moon, or just burn stuff. A true son of Hame with mesmerising talent, comfortable in the uncomfortable and gone too soon. Gwan Brian 🏴❤️ | Posted on 30/Apr/2024 22:05:37
