VLADIMIR MCTAVISH	Download Full Press Release (1.5MB)
THE TOP FIFTY GREATEST SCOTS OF ALL TIME EVER! Previews 30th July / 1st August (18:40) Click Here to Book Tickets Now!	Download Hi-Resolution image (939KB)

Venue:   Stand 2 Dates:    2 - 24 (not 11th) Time:     18:40 Tickets: £8 / £7

The iconic Scotsmen and women who shaped a nation's culture, and influenced the world are celebrated and debunked in an hour of irreverent and affectionate satire.” Vladimir McTavish returns to The Stand for his fourth solo Fringe show following his appearance at the 2008 Aspen Comedy Festival. This comes on the back of a twelve-month period in which he has appeared in Kuwait, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, the Channel Islands and throughout the UK and Ireland.

But it is to matters much closer to home that Vladimir turns his attention in this year's Edinburgh Festival show. The Top Fifty Greatest Scots of All Time Ever is both a celebration and a deconstruction of the truly great iconic figures of our history and culture.

From Robert Burns to Oor Wullie, from Keir Hardie to Tommy Sheridan, from Archie Gemmill to James McFadden, from Jimmy Shand to Rod Stewart, from Alex Salmond to William Wallace, from Fran and Anna to the Krankies, from John Muir to Tom Weir. Some are heroes of a small nation, known to but a handful of people south of Berwick on Tweed. Others trod the world stage; icons of global culture, their influence as great in Adelaide as in Ardnamurchan.

To elect one greatest-ever Scot is, of course, fanciful. Who can compare the work of Alexander Fleming with the work of the Alexander Brothers? Yet we live in a list-obsessed culture, our TV schedules dominated by 'talking head' programmes. The Top Fifty Greatest Scots of All Time Ever satirises that cultural nihilism, while at the same time celebrating some of the truly great achievements of a small, northern European colony.

The Top 50 Greatest Scots of All Time Ever is McTavish's fourth solo Fringe show, and his most ambitious work to date, incorporating stand-up, songs, poetry, video and visual images.

It follows the critical and box-office success of Sixty Things Scotland Gave the World in 2005, 2006's A Brief History of History of Scotland and last year's Scottish History of the World, which is currently in development for BBC TV.

Click here to book tickets now!

Press Quotes

'Acerbic and energetic, the perfect balance of fun-poking satirical vim. Compulsory viewing'
**** List

'Vladimir McTavish is heir to the long tradition of comedians as truth-tellers. His glittering jester eyes seem sometime to sparkle… at once mischievous and very sad. This show presents an unflinching portrait, stark honesty dressed as scathing comedy…. This is an important show for the Fringe'
**** The Scotsman

'Hilarious, thought-provoking, and as spicy as a good malt'
**** Broadway Baby

'Can still turn a gag that can reduce an audience aware of Scotland's social niceties to stitches' Metro 'An all-singing, all-thinking humour machine made in Glasgow. This is one case where the word 'genius' is justified. McTavish is simply too terrific to miss… a comic master at his peak.'
***** Three Weeks

'Like your Dad after one-too-many sherries on Christmas Day'
Edinburgh Evening News