Sir Harry Lauder, born 1870, died 1950 – and brought back to sparkling life by Jamie MacDougall in 2025. This wasn’t Jamie’s first one-man show portraying the life of the legendary Scottish entertainer, but it was a first for the Perth Festival. Simply titled Lauder and created by Jimmy Logan, this adaptation by Jamie and Kally Lloyd-Jones proves Sir Harry left a lasting legacy.

Jamie’s narrative, in the first person, added credibility to this tribute to a man once dubbed by Churchill as “Scotland’s greatest entertainer”. A moot point, I reckon, considering the opposition in later years. But there’s no doubting his talent in the music halls at the turn of the 19^th century, both as a master of lyrics and in their jocular and animated delivery – and Jamie brought over each quality in crystal clarity. He’s got the same entertaining gene as Lauder had, with an infectious enthusiasm and a winning way with an audience.

The “hits” came thick and fast – Roamin’ in the Gloamin’, Stop Yer Tickling Jock, I Love A Lassie to name a few – all delivered with Jamie’s irresistible style and with a twinkle in his eye. Although backed by Michael Barnett’s piano accompaniment, this was purely a one-man show, a show that should have been witnessed by a larger audience. Still, those who were there enjoyed a care-free and relaxed 80 minutes of music-hall merriment. And when the invitation to join in the singing, it was done with great gusto.

There was a touch of pathos, too, when the story-line touched on Lauder’s son’s death in the Great War, but essentially this was a fun-filled, highly enjoyable tribute to a man whose talents touched millions, and whose legacy lives on thanks to Jamie’s uncanny and astute reincarnation.