Fair City laughed at in new show

Oct 14 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

PERTH is to be the butt of the joke in a hilarious new charity show launched in the city yesterday.

The satire, entitled ‘Perth in the Buff’ and branded in the style of the PA’s logo will premiere at the Loft nightclub on November 11 and will poke fun at the familiar traits of local people and will take a comical look at topical issues within the town.

Written by and starring Andy Gray, Ian Grieve, Amanda Beveridge and Charlie Fraser, the show will also benefit local charity, Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS), which will receive all profits from ticket sales on the opening night.

Comedy writer and actor Mr Gray, well-known for his role as ‘Chancer’ in ‘eighties TV sitcom City Lights, told the PA yesterday: “I was born here in Perth and left a long time ago to pursue my acting career.

“My family is still here and I loved coming back, so I decided to stay.

“I think Perth is fantastic and, having chatted to Ian and the rest of the cast, we thought a show about Perth, in Perth, by people from Perth, seemed a good idea.

“We all live here and have been seen as the poor relations to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.”

The host of hilarious sketches include: Marjorie from Scone, Perth historian Hal O’ the Wynd, Perth in the Buff news headlines, dressing room secrets from St Johnstone, the Letham Love Song, the City Hall sings, Perthy Gardener and behind the scenes with Perth and Kinross Council’s planning department.

Mr Gray continued: “All profits will go to our wonderful friends PKAVS, who we have had associations with for a few years now.

“This will be the first of regular Perth in the Buff shows and we have a list of guests lined up to appear.”

PKAVS marketing and development manager Helen MacKinnon said: “Andy and Ian have been staunch supporters of PKAVS, helping us raise more than £30,000.

“We are thrilled to be benefiting from this charity premiere night.”

PKAVS oversees services in the areas of youth, carers, community initiatives and community engagement.

Tickets for the show, which begins at 8.30pm, are available from www.wegottickets.com. Alternatively, contact PKAVS on events@pkavs.org.uk or call 01738 567076.

Search for ‘Perth in the Buff’ on Facebook.