South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture

For reasons outwith his control, Fred had to cancel his 2025 Edinburgh Fringe shows and his Autumn Tour - “Fred MacAulay: No podcast - LIVE”. Now, thankfully, due to reasons completely within his control, he is now preparing to hit the road in 2026 with the 2025 show repackaged and updated and simply called “GOOD EVENING!”.

So what happened? Simply put: Fred suffered a freak accident and then an unrelated prostate cancer diagnosis. Is there humour in either of these? In the words of a famous Scotland footballer “Maybes Aye, Maybes Naw”.

Now in the fourth decade of his comedy career, Fred MacAulay still loves being on stage doing what he does best ...... quite simply it's STAND-UP and his appetite for performing is as strong as it was all those years ago when he took a massive side-ways step from a career as an Accountant and Company Secretary into the world of entertainment.

A career which has taken him all over the world (apart from South America) (and some other continents) where he has worked in television and radio. But it’s always been and always will be as a stand-up that Fred wants to be remembered. It's because of stand-up that he’s been asked to do all the 'celebrity' things that he’s done.

He might talk about some of them, but he's more likely to talk about what is current - having been a guest on the famous Radio 4 News Quiz show for almost 18 years he has some previous in this respect. And as a family man he'll no doubt be talking about the latest stage of that aspect of life ..... grandchildren. "I can remember the joy of having our kids just after I'd embarked on my career in comedy ..... what a great source of material they were! I mean, that wasn't the main reason for having kids ...... but I hope the same applies to the grandkids!"

Fred hates the word ‘celebrity’ yet he’s done Celebrity Mastermind (twice) and Celebrity Masterchef (once) and who can forget his Celebrity Fame Academy for Comic Relief (Answer: hopefully everyone). Asked twice to do ‘I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ Fred said No! “I’m waiting for the Scottish version ….. “So You Think You’re A Celebrity, Get The **** Out Of Here!”

Asked for a snappy quote for publicity, Fred sent this: “I really hope that a lot of people come out to see this tour. I think it’s the best show I’ve done since the last one.”

Here’s what others have said:

‘ONE OF THE BEST STAND-UP COMEDIANS BRITAIN HAS EVER PRODUCED’ - Richard Osman, Pointless

'FRED MACAULAY IS AN ELITE COMEDIAN' - Kevin Bridges

‘RIB-ACHINGLY FUNNY, ONE OF THE FUNNIEST MEN ALIVE’ – Sunday Times

 ‘A MASTERCLASS’ – The Evening Express

Available to book online or by calling East Kilbride Arts Centre on 01355 261000.

Cost: £20.00 (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)

Join us for an afternoon talk exploring Military History through its music and medals. Our speakers will present:

a) A background into Scottish VC recipients.

b) The stories behind some of our best-known pipe tunes.

We look forward to an informative and lively afternoon in the warm and entertaining company of Duncan Brown and Stuart Archer, both of whom are pipers and published authors on their respective areas of interest.

Tickets are available online.

Cost: Free admission

Voted the UK’s BEST Dolly Parton Impersonator and the only Dolly Parton tribute endorsed by The Parton family, West End star Kelly O’Brien is country legend Dolly Parton.

Australian-born Kelly is a world-class entertainer with stunning vocal and flawless comic timing. She brilliantly captures the voice, verve and voluptuousness of the little lady from Tennessee.

From the 22-inch waist to the 32G bust, she captivates audiences around the world with Dolly's famous mountain soprano.

It’s like Dolly is right there in the room with you.

Accompanied by some of the UK’s finest musicians, Kelly and her band play songs like 9 to 5, Jolene, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You and many more. . .

You don’t want to miss this show!

Available to book online or by calling Lanark Memorial Hall on 01555 673199.

Cost: £28.00 (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)

Shine Productions present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Sha la la Joseph you’re doing fine! You and your dreamcoat ahead of your time! One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a reimagining of the biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colours.

This beloved musical is full of catchy songs in a variety of styles, from a parody of French ballads (“Those Canaan Days”), to country-western (“One More Angel in Heaven”) and calypso (“Benjamin Calypso”), along with the unforgettable classics “Any Dream Will Do” and “Close Every Door.”

Available to book online or by calling The Town House Hamilton on 01698 452299.

Cost: £25 - £22 (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)

Geez a Break Productions present When We Were Young.

The public and critically acclaimed multi-award winning When We Were Young is back for 2026.

This five star show goes beyond the tabloid stereotype of ‘Neds’ to tell a powerful and hilarious story about the realities of gang culture and young team mentality in Glasgow during the 90’s, as we follow the lives of one of the many young teams who polluted the streets of the city during a time it was as The Murder Capital of Europe

This show contains strong language, adult humour and blood and is recommend for audiences aged 16+.

**** Utter class - DAILY RECORD

**** A triumph , one not to be missed  - GLASGOW THEATRE BLOG

**** Comedy that rages fast and furiously in this drama that offers a great night out for audiences - THE SCOTSMAN

**** So well conceived and beautifully presented - LISA IN THE THEATRE 

Available to book online or by calling East Kilbride Arts Centre on 01355 261000.

Cost: £18.00 / £16.00 concession (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)