SCOTLAND'S top variety entertainer, comic and magician Liam A. Black, from Cowdenbeath, certainly wowed the crowds with his recent “Scottish Comedy and Variety Gala Performance” at the Adam Smith Theatre, writes our Theatre critic Kerry Black.

Liam successfully brought together the cream of Scottish entertainment in a show guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages. Liam himself opened the show with his award winning silent magic act culminating in making a dove appear, fly around the audience and then land on him.

Next on the bill was Comedy Central’s David Kay, Alloa’s very own comic superstar!

With his signature slow delivery, David had the audience rolling in the aisles as he delivered jokes on scones, Mother’s Pride bread, his side job motivating Andy Murray and even the fact that Brexit sounds like a Lidl breakfast cereal!

All evening long, Liam, resplendent in a custom made tail suit (made by Michael Jackson’s costume designer) , compered the show, with world class wit, comedy and magic!

Drew McAdam, TV star and renowned mentalist was next. Drew invited randomly selected members of the public onstage then wowed the crowds with his phenomenal powers. How on earth can he predict that someone will select one specific word from an entire book? Mesmerising!

After another sidesplitting interlude from Liam A Black, the first-half of the show ended with famed Scottish entertainer Dean Park and his unique blend of comedy and music. I had only ever seen Dean in panto, so it was brilliant to see him as himself, especially when he sang his big hit “Wee Andy Webber”. What a legend!

The second-half opened with a true surprise, thanks to the amazing young pipers and drummers from Burntisland. Their spirited medley including “Highland Cathedral” brought the house down!

Liam’s next guest artistes were the incredible “Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre”. These hilarious creatures have sold out repeatedly at The Fringe with their lunatic portrayals. Well, have you ever seen socks lambasting everyone from Shakespeare to Glenrothes Zombies?

Liam then returned to the stage for more classic magic and expert audience participation, before introducing the one and only Fife Megastar himself, Artie (formerly of The Singing Kettle but now telling Tartan Tales).

Artie has sold over 5 million tickets and is Glasgow SECC’s highest grossing artiste, he was delighted to be back entertaining in Fife.

Artie soon proved what a fabulous entertainer he is as he had everyone in the hall from bairns to grannies singing, “You Cannae Shove Your Granny Aff The Bus!”

The evening ended on an incredible magical high as Liam made snow appear and float over the auditorium ending as he always does with a well deserved standing ovation!