Fred MacAulay - Twenty Fifteen, King's Theatre, Glasgow
four stars
Lorraine Wilson
With a blanket title like Twenty Fifteen, the audience had little idea what to expect from Fred MacAulay's first live outing following the end of his Radio Scotland show.
It became clear, fairly quickly, that Fred didn't really know what to expect either, but what followed was a show that made the most of his dual weapons - a finely tuned comedy radar and genuine geniality.
Despite having to follow a fine supporting set by Bruce Morton, always an estimable storyteller, he appeared relaxed and happy to engage with audience members who never heckled but obviously fancied a chat.
Fred is always likeable without ever pandering to an audience. Away from broadcasting he has always been cheekier, but even when targeting in on Alex Salmond's hair, Jim Murphy's memory, a recent run-in with a gaggle of PR girls, or his recent exit from the BBC, he's more impish than imprudent.
A Tartan Army battalion in full battle dress was a gift from the comedy gods and unless they were an en masse plant, it showed how comfortable Fred is with improvisation, helped along by some superb anecdotes from his broadcasting career.
If this was anyone's first experience of seeing Fred live then they might have been taken back by the sweary words, but as he points out, the Perthshire accent can somehow take the edge off even the sweariest.
The Q&A at the end meant that the show trickled off rather than having an ending, but come August in Edinburgh, when the show is up to speed, it should be an absolute cracker. He can even have a long lie in the morning...
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