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Edinburgh Reporter

Harry Lauder back in Portobello

Portobello's most famous son, Sir Harry Lauder, will be celebrated as Scottish Opera's acclaimed one-man show Lauder is performed at the seaside suburb's Town Hall on 4 and 5 August. Born just a stone's throw from the venue – a plaque marks the cottage at 3 Bridge Street – Lauder's Porty legacy remains strong and is commemorated with a memorial garden at the Town Hall and the local ring-road is named after the international performer. Tenor and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall is reviving the much loved show – written by another legendary Scottish artist, Jimmy Logan – with performances in London, Derbyshire and Portobello, and proceeds will go to the Erskine Veterans Charity, for which MacDougall is an ambassador. Lauder was much affected by the death of his son, Captain John Lauder, at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and raised huge sums of money for injured servicemen, donating his musical royalties to Erskine. Famously performing in full Highland regalia – kilt, sporran, Tam o' Shanter, and walking stick – Lauder's global influence led Winston Churchill to call him 'Scotland's greatest ever ambassador', and acknowledged the comfort his songs provided during WW2. Jamie MacDougall said: 'I was 10 when I was taken twice to see Jimmy Logan in Lauder at the King's Theatre Glasgow. That was the start of my life-long association with these wonderful songs and Sir Harry, an entertainer who was the first truly global star. I am honoured to be an Ambassador for Erskine, and hope audiences can come along to see this special show and raise money for an incredible charity.' Adapted by MacDougall and director Kally LloydJones from the original script by Jimmy Logan, it features well-known songs such as 'I Love a Lassie', composed for the 1905 Glasgow pantomime Aladdin, and 'Roamin' in the Gloamin'' and 'End of the Road'. The performance also includes footage of Lauder's funeral and trenchera visuals, transporting audience members through his life. Like this: Like Related