SkinnyFest 3 - Vladimir McTavish

Whether satirising or stereotyping, the man breathes foul-mouthed fire.

Article by Chris O | 14 Aug 2006
Vladimir McTavish, from his name to the core of his being, celebrates Scotland's multi-culturalism. He doesn't even hate the English that much. Or not at all, really. A modern Scot indeed.

It's refreshing to find some genuinely Scottish satire at the Fringe and McTavish can always be relied on as a performer. As you'd expect from any Brief History of Scotland - the theme of this show - there's a fair bit of football, religion and drink material all ready-made and raring to go. McTavish dispatches it all with aplomb. Straight in the top corner, as it were. Whether satirising or stereotyping, the man breathes foul-mouthed fire.
It's not all fast-talking though. The man's a poet. McTavish's poetry is also very funny: a contemporary satirical paean to McGonagall that, unlike its inspiration, is funny because it's supposed to be. McTavish isn't for everyone, and, while the more local references had me giggling like a school girl, the tourist crowd merely stared like Tiny Tim at a massive Turkey. It might be about time that tourists heard something really Scottish, but if everyone from Scotland thought like big Vladimir, we'd all be better off for it.
Vladimir McTavish: A Brief History of Scotland, Stand II, until August 27, 19:00, £7(£6).