Madcap comedy that was preceded with a three-piece girl vocal group at the Carnegie Hall Dunfermline. Sounds familiar? It should do as it was the same line up that back in November 2006 graced this prestigious venue, the acts in question being the Lanarkshire based vocal trio The Occasions and the larger than life comic mayhem that is the self styled Mad Mark Roberts.

Opening this St Patrick’s Day gig, the ladies turned in another very creditable performance of cover songs, all well know and classics. The lead vocals are shared among the girls and close harmonies are equally well covered in their all too short set. Their sound to me has matured since their last visit, and there was a marked development in the stage presence, however I feel there is still scope for more choreography, which would certainly add to their charisma.

Those regular visitor to this site will be aware of the versatility of Mad Mark, and if you are not well why not? Roberts is building a huge following in Scotland following on from his relocation after 17 years of self-exile in Gran Canaria. The man is a born entertainer whether as a vocalist, or with his rather more adult comedy that was the fare for this gig.

His stage presence is immense, too large for the stage at Carnegie, as he needed to literally roam about this audience getting up close and personal with some, and generally reacting and interacting with all. His humour is certainly not politically correct, but hey, we were warned on the flyer, but it is keenly observed and bitingly funny.

It should not by now, but still does, amaze me the way he gets routines for the most unlikely of subjects and he had the audience in stitches through out his set. Added to the stand-up, or should that read prowl about, routine, he has a talent for rewriting the lyrics to well known songs and giving him both the chance to showcase his wicked sense of humour and superb singing voice.

Roberts certainly deserves all the success in Scotland that he achieved in the Canaries, and I’m sure it will happen before too long. He plans to do a short season as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August but, should you see that he is playing in your area, take this reviewer’s advice check him out, they is no way you’ll be disappointed. 

Mad Mark Roberts – Mad March Tour Carnegie Hall Theatre Dunfermline Fife Saturday 17^th March 2007.