There are a number of traditions that Scotland has in and around New Year time and one of the newer ones that has become part of folklore is ‘Only an Excuse’, a extremely funny and irreverent fun poke at Scottish Football and it’s characters co-written and performed by Scottish comedy actor supreme Jonathan Watson. It is now required viewing for those of us who appreciate quality comedy and are football fans.

I was more than interested to see how Watson could recreate this show live, without all the TV trickery and sustain the intensity for around two hours, and I was certainly not alone as in excess of seven hundred like-minded souls ploughed their was through almost arctic weather to enjoy the spectacle.

One inside there was not any thoughts about being cold as the white-hot comedy Watson delivered, co-written with Phil Differ, soon warmed the audience more effectively than the traditional pie and Bovril.

The stunningly accurate voices Jonny can deliver is legend, he caricatures everybody and the sporting line-up is legion,

 Fergie, Levien, O’Neil, Strachan, Chic Young, Jim Whyte, George Burley, Jim Leishman, Charlie Nick, Rambo McInally… the list just goes on. Without the props and time for makeup etc Watson relies on his mimicry skills, which are more than adequate for the job in hand.

The only time he resorts to props was for the finale, probably his tour de force, the wicked pastiche on Frank McAvennie, the onetime West Ham, Celtic and Scotland ‘playboy’. This interpretation had the packed house in peels of laughter, widely interspersed with spontaneous applause.

Unfortunately, like all great things, they must finally come to an end. I’m sure I was not alone in wishing that we could have at least another hour. With any luck Watson will return to Dunfermline before too long, and if and when he does, well I’m sure there will be even more pressure in trying to obtain a ticket, I know I’ll certainly want a repeat helping.

As a post script to Geoff’s review I just want to add, I am not a football fan and never will be. So why did I go to the Alhambra theatre on a cold snowy Friday evening to see ‘Only An Excuse?’ BBC Scotland’s Comedy Unit’s football parody show? Initially to see my old dancing partner Jonathan Watson, live on stage. Although a huge percentage of the characters and subtle nuances went well over my head I was able to appreciate the superb performance, could identify many different characters and laugh at those non-football jokes I actually got. After the show I made a point of asking some of the minority audience what they thought of the show. Those ladies I did get to speak to absolutely loved the show and watch it all the time. They enjoyed the chance to see it live and several-said Jonathan is brilliant.

Not taking anything away from Jonathan’s performance and appreciating it takes a special actor to be able to hold an audiences attention for almost two hours but part of that responsibility lies heavily with the script. It is hear that Jonathan and his co writer Phil Differ excel. The show has enough variety to hold the attention of even those like myself who have little or no football knowledge. This ‘Only An Excuse?’ tour sees Jonathan and Phil working together over the past 25 years. Phil is a comedian, director, producer and comedy writer whom Geoff and I saw at The Stand Comedy Club on Thursday 5^th of November 2009.

Apologies to Phil who was backstage after the show I kept looking at him but could not remember how I knew him. Had I thought to take Geoff backstage he would have recognised him.

Sadly this was the last night of the tour, which had been extended to cover as much of Scotland as possible. This definitely appreciated by fans as some had come over from Edinburgh for the night. I am sure The Alhambra and Dunfermline look forward to the return of ‘Only An Excuse?’ some time in the future. Meanwhile the Alhambra Theatre’s new spring programme has been announced, get a programme from the theatre or go on line to www.alhambradunfermline.com .

www.alhambradunfermline.com