For my first day out after my second bout of the dreaded lurgy I returned to The Alhambra Theatre Dunfermline where ‘The Red Hot Chilli Pipers’ were performing the first of their two ‘Red Hot Hoolie!’ shows on Tuesday 29^th December.

The Alhambra may not have been totally sold out for the matinee performance but this just gave more room for the kids to run, jump and dance to the fabulous music on offer. Taking a lesson from the kids, by the end many of the adults were dancing too! From babes in arms to those mature enough to be in their second childhood everyone was having a huge pre-hogmanay bash.

As for the Pipers, up until now my feelings were that ‘bagpipes’ should only be plaid outside but now? Wow!!  Founder member Stuart Cassells Gnome outfit was a bit of a surprise as he introduced the band, then the party started. Never mind the ‘100 Pipers’, which they did play eventually, we had in excess of 100 minutes of the greatest music I have heard this festive season. Geoff mentioned much of the music in his review of their sell out performance on 18^th December, but telling me what they played and hearing it are totally different. Their rendition of the beautifully haunting ‘Highland Cathedral’ actually had me in tears it is so moving.

The main difference between the Matinee and the Evening show is the lack of support act. Probably just as well as one little girl danced herself to a virtual standstill but still had enough energy left to jump up and down clapping and cheering at the end.

I will be watching their FaceBook page and website www.redhotchillipipers.co.uk with interest to find out when and where I can see them again. As for productions at The Alhambra Theatre 2010 go to www.alhambradunfermline.com acts and shows are being announced regularly, you can sign up for regular updates.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers Bagpipes: Stuart Cassells, Willie Armstrong, Kevin McDonald with new piper Kyle Warren. Guitar: Gregor 'G Man' James. Keyboard: Chris Russell. Drumkit: Steven 'stav' Black. Precussion: Steven Graham, Malcolm McEwan.

Red Hot Chilli Pipers                        Red Hot Chilli Pipers   Red Hot Hoolie The Sequel