A Scottish television star will be portraying a legend of the national game.
Maureen Carr, who many will know as Edith from Still Game or Theresa from River City, will be performing a unique play which tells the story of iconic Scottish footballer Rose Reilly at Centrestage in Kilmarnock.
Reilly famously left Scotland as a teenager to pursue a career in football – after a stint in Paris, France she headed to Italy where she captained the likes of AC Milan, Catania, Lecce and Trani.
She won eight Serie A league titles, four cups, two golden boots for top goalscorer and was voted best female footballer in the world.
Her spirit, courage and determination in her fight simply to be a girl who plays football is a story which will inspire audiences of all ages.
Actress Maureen admits she’s honoured to be playing an iconic role.
Speaking exclusively to the Kilmarnock Standard, she said: “Her story is phenomenal, it really is, people come and see it and leave shocked and angry at it.
“It’s funny too, though, and it’s not all about football, there was so many barriers before she even got into football and she smashed them all down.
“Rose, Elsie Cook and Edna Neillis are all mentioned a lot, they were incredible too and they are a big part of it.
“I won’t give anything away, but it’s about they girls and their journey, it is an amazing story.
“My husband told me the story about Rose, and then I seen the documentary about her and I got in touch from there
“I said to Rose I’d like to do a play about her, she was quite taken aback, so I got a writer Lorna Martin on board.”
Maureen continued: “Stewarton in Rose’s home town; a place that she absolutely adores.
“But Kilmarnock was the closest place we could do the show, it will be amazing.
“I’ve not been to Centrestage before, but I’ve heard so many good things about it – and Fiona from there is such a lovely woman, so helpful and supportive.”
Maureen admits the journey has led to her and Rose becoming friends, as well as Elsie and Edna.
She said: “Rose and I are very close friends now. She is an amazing, formidable woman.
“I really admire her so much, she sacrificed a lot, she loved football and that’s what comes across.
“When England’s Lionesses won the Euros she loved it, she didn’t care it was England, she just thought it was great for women’s football.
“It has been a privilege getting to know her and tell her story.”
Maureen added: “I’d also love to give a big shoutout to John McTaggart of Ayrshire College, I couldn’t have done this without him.
“He is such a brilliant guy, he has been helping out in so many ways, he’s so supportive.
“He cares, he really cares, James Taylor from Stewarton Annick, too, he is another amazing person.
“These people care about their community and it comes across, they are fantastic.”
Visit here to purchase tickets for the show on Saturday, September 24.
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