Vladimir McTavish and Keir McAllister: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Stand 3 and 4

At the top of the show Vladmir McTavish and Keir McAllister note that there isn't another show on the Fringe that's about Scottish independence. Is this some kind of indication of the apathy of the Scottish nation?

Still at least McTavish and McAllister have made the effort to team up to take a look at their native land and assess its state and suitability for going it alone. Of course the pair are both familiar acts on Scotland's comedy circuit; both are regulars at The Stand who are committed to the country's scene rather than heading straight for the M6/M1 come the end of the month.

McTavish, better known to his family as Paul Sneddon, was out first, warming up the crowd with a bit of routine club commentary:  ‘I know you're all thinking that Philip Schofield's not aged well...’ before introducing his co-star, the two-time Scottish Comedian of the Year finalist, McAllister.

They create an easy banter, working well together as a double act sparking off each other's lines of albeit scripted dialogue. Some gags are derived from pretty obvious targets but enjoyable nonetheless. Alex Salmond's girth comes in for a fair amount of ribbing as does Susan Boyle face and Dumfries. But in amongst the easy slights there are some nice lines to be found: Donald Trump's attack of eco-windmills is likened to Don Quixote's and there's a tale of a heckle in a Dumfries club by a man with a false leg.

They move through the country checking on its assets – plenty of energy resources – and produce a handy questionnaire for those living outside the borders to determine if they're still Scottish. Though the whole thing could be derailed by the knottiest problem of all, who gets/wants Berwick upon Tweed?

It's an easy hour and surely it should be compulsory to see at least one genuinely home-grown comedy act who's not a just a Yank in a kilt. By the close of show they may have won around some of the Scots in the room to independence.

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If only Vlad was as funny as he obviously thinks he is the world would be a better place, unfortunately he's about as funny as a tax inspector who's having a particularly unfunny day at the office

Iain, March 2003

One of my least favourite acts. I don't think this man has a natural funny bone in his body. I wish he'd free up his script a little and be a bit more spontaneous and actually involve the audience.

Kelly, September 2002

We saw Vlad tonight in Glasgow and he was very, very funny. Especially the Ian Paisley bit.

B Cameron, July 2001

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