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Press and Journal
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
REVIEW: Sudden Death - Rosco McClelland at Eden Court
Rosco McClelland is not afraid of dying, at least not in the traditional sense – his frank admissions about ignoring doctors' orders after being diagnosed with a potentially fatal heart condition tell us that. But the award-winning comic must have had some apprehension about how his stand-up set would go down when he stepped out onto Eden Court's OneTouch Theatre stage and spotted a diminutive audience with a demographic that – by his own assessment – was not his usual crowd. Audibly self-editing as he powered through a rapid-fire new-material opening, it was clear Rosco wanted to ensure his show was enjoyable for all in attendance – and enjoy it we did! (Although I'm sure we could have handled the jokes he deemed were not for us.) His set piece, Sudden Death, is a brave routine that has been carefully honed to gather the audience in with some easy laughs before hitting them with something harder A fierce undercurrent of working-class authenticity flows through Rosco's descriptions of his hometown and upbringing – with proud affection shining out between the swipes he takes at old schoolmate 'Shanksy'. And when he switches gears to explain the meaning behind the show's title the audience listens in rapt attention – each of us on the edge of our seats, waiting to exhale. From a young lad who doesn't want to be different, to a grown man coming to terms with the consequences of his condition (which he prefers to simply call a 'thing'), Rosco offers an insight into what its like to live a life that you know could be over at any moment. McClelland's true talent lies in knowing just how much he can prolong a moment of profundity before pulling the audience back and allowing them a laugh – creating a chiaroscuro that heightens the emotion of the evening. Even a piece of political soapboxing (hats off, Rosco, for using your platform) is well received and quickly tempered with a punchline that brings the show back to the land of levity. Sudden Death was an emotional rollercoaster; full of fun and genuinely funny. We left the auditorium filled with gratitude for the lives that we lead – and the laughs we have shared. Fingers crossed Rosco gives our city another go – if you missed him this time, you really did miss out.
Press and Journal
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
REVIEW: Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote at Eden Court was an evening of unadulterated fun and nostalgia
As a crime reporter for the Press and Journal, it seemed only right that I should be the one to join a gang sofa sleuth's as Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote returned to Eden Court in Inverness. Despite the fact that the show has been here before, I was a first time 'Fangela' – the term coined by show creator and Murder She Wrote (MSW) superfan Tim Benzie for those enthusiastic enough about the long-running cosy-crime drama to join his audience. After collecting a goody bag on the way into the OneTouch Theatre, I felt a frisson of excitement run though the auditorium as the famed Jessica Fletcher – protagonist of the popular 80s and 90s show – flashed on the screen. As the familiar strains of the opening credits rolled, host Tim Benzie began what would be a whirlwind tour through Fletcher's fictional world, all tied together by the evening's chosen episode – Paint Me a Murder, first aired in 1985. His MSW montage recreation endeared him immediately to the audience, who proved themselves more willing than many I have seen at the Highland venue to join in with interactive interludes. The show was perfectly pitched for all to enjoy – from the clueless newbies (there were a couple among our number who confessed to never having seen an episode) to the die-hard Fangelas (who battled it out during a hilarious Cabot's Cove quiz). Choosing between watching the show as the mystery unfolded or keeping an eye out for our host's affectionate on-stage antics was tough – so seriously were we taking our role as the operators of the 'suspiciometer' ranking the key players' likelihood of having committed the crime. And when the denouement denoued, the only disappointment was that our evening was almost over – bar an enthusiastic singalong with Benzie's self-penned MSW theme tune; a tongue-in-cheek masterpiece that hit all the right notes, even if we didn't. Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote was an evening of unadulterated fun and nostalgia, reverent to the late Angela Lansbury and her art, and recognisant of her fun-loving fandom. Tim promised us a new episode if he is able to return to the Highland capital, and I for one can't wait to see what more he has in store. If you enjoyed this, you may also like: REVIEW: A Scottish Comedy Collective at Eden Court
