Copper Bottom Sunshine – A show in aid of Bowel Cancer UK; 1^st April, Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Billed as an extravaganza of comedy and music, the entertainment on offer certainly lived up to this ambitious description. With a host of leading names following one after the other, the fun and enjoyment was sustained for the whole three hours or more.

The first half of the show was compered by Stephen Frost who linked the opening acts with his own style of embarrassed humour. First on was Barry Cryer, now a comedy veteran, who knows how to charm an audience with his jokes and reminiscences. Next up was Miles Jupp in his role as the upper class buffoon who has to somehow deal with the ordinary folk, whether they be muggers or clubbers – a class act!

After Miles Jupp, there seemed to be a hiatus in the proceedings until Karen Dunbar joined Stephen Frost on the stage playing the part of the Glasgow bird with a few too many drinks in her and not a lot in the way of brain power. This obviously impromptu routine with Karen Dunbar’s over the top antics was superb comedy. Rounding off the first half of the show, singer Eddi Reader sang ‘Perfect’ accompanied by Karen in her best, or worst, karaoke style.

The second half was compered by Karen Dunbar. Like probably most of the audience I had never seen Karen perform live. What an irrepressible talent she is. She has the timing, the movement, the stage presence and the confidence to literally run with material that flows naturally whether scripted or ad lib. 

In this half of the show we were treated to three further comediennes all funny but with their own individual style of humour; Hattie Hayridge very still with a dry delivery as she observed life’s enigmas; Rhona Cameron making a welcome return to stand up comedy and revealing her quick wits in dealing with a heckler who apparently was more concerned about her comments on road works than on international terrorism. Jo Brand was the third lady and, again, what fun as she recounted her experiences as a menopausal mother. It was also refreshing to hear Jo giving us men some credit. We may not be able to multitask but what we attempt we pursue with a single minded purpose.

If this wasn’t sufficient, there was also Bill Bailey. The guy is simply very funny whether doing stand up or taking the rise out of pretentious music such as Lionel Ritchie’s lyrics or the Star War Theme.

A hard act to follow but Eddi Reader’s performance of ‘My love is like a red, red rose’ by Burns did give a few quieter moments before the exciting finale.

Rounding off the evening were Beergut 100 with Bill Bailey belting out a variety of rock, and rocked up, songs including ‘Tomorrow’ from ‘Annie’ and, appropriately to finish with, Morecambe and Wise’s  ‘Bring me Sunshine’.

All in all a thoroughly satisfying evening’s entertainment and much credit must not only go to the performers but also to Producer Karen Koren and the support staff for putting the whole show together for a most worthy and perhaps less well known cause.

For those interested in this charity the web site is www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk