Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show 2018 at the King’s Theatre Edinburgh Review

Reviewed by Dawn Watson

We were promised a fun filled variety show packed with comedy, singing, laughter and maybe even a hint of magic and boy did Allan Stewart deliver! The King’s Theatre in Edinburgh played host to Allan Stewart for another year – with Allan bringing along some showbiz friends to enthral us with some good old-fashioned entertainment!

Each year his show delivers something different and this is the second show I have been lucky to see and I can say he didn’t disappoint with comedy sketches, routines alongside his panto villain buddy Grant Stott, singing from the wonderful soulful sweethearts of the seventies, The Three Degrees, comedy from radio favourite Fred MacAulay, a surprise addition for me and one who I am sure will entertain in her own right soon – his gorgeous talented daughter Kate and someone I hadn’t seen or heard before was a magician bringing us some comedy – Phil Butler.

Phil brought along his own style of humour and magic and I suppose everyone has their own sense of humour. He was good at warming us all up and getting us ready for the show, but I have to be honest and say I didn’t enjoy this part of the show as much as the rest… he seemed to take a while to warm up himself… maybe just not our cup of tea.

My mum was really looking forward to hearing the wonderful voices of the soulful seventies singers The Three Degrees – a favourite of my dad’s, a group I could still remember the words to their classics – their voices were stunning and carried the audience with them – the crowd loving their classic hit When Will I see you Again! Stunning voices.

Throughout the show Grant Stott joins his buddy Allan Stewart for some comedy duo sketches – was that a sneaky preview of this year’s panto? – proving why they are loved and admired so much by many…

Fred MacAulay being a well-known face and radio favourite, I love his humour , always on point and on topic. He is a great addition to this year’s show.

And who could forget the MacRoberts Brothers – I remembered them for last year but brought up to date this year with yet another great humorous sketch.

I was delighted when Allan introduced his beautiful daughter Kate who enthralled the audience with her stunning Whitney Houston Run To You – the hairs stood up on the back of my neck and the audience certainly appreciated her amazing talent… a girl who will be seen a lot of in the future I am sure.

Of course, you can’t forget the wonderful talent of Mr Allan Stewart himself, you are so used to seeing him perform as a comedy panto dame you forget his other serious side and how wonderful his talent is, he writes, he sings, dances, acts – an all-rounder as my mum would say – such talent – we love him! A showbiz great!

The Big Big Variety Show was just that – a Big Big Variety Show packed full of entertaining goodies with a little bit of something for everyone… A must see show for all.

Catch it while you can – the snow may be falling as fast as it can be shovelled away but this show too good to miss.

Rating: 4/5

Tickets cost from £27 (booking fees may apply).

Allan Stewart’s Big Big Variety Show is at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh from 27 February to 3 March 2018, for more information or to book tickets visit www.edtheatres.com or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.

King’s Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LQ | 0131 529 6000