Alex Salmond

Caird Hall, Dundee, April 27

Scotland’s former First Minister Alex Salmond is getting set to bring his live show to Dundee next month.

Alex Salmond Unleashed … The Tour had been scheduled to come to the city’s Caird Hall this evening, but due to the inclement weather the touring company decided to postpone.

Alex says: “The problem is not really the weather in Dundee, but more that many of the audience and cast are travelling in from around the country. In these circumstances you have to put safety first.”

Alex is looking forward to returning to the Caird Hall and is hopeful both Dundee-born actor Brian Cox and comedian and actress Elaine C Smith will still be his special guests. The full line-up will be confirmed closer to the time.

Other performers who make regular Unleashed appearances include Dundee’s own traditional singer Sheena Wellington and comedian Des Clarke.

“Sheena is legendary and particularly famous for singing A Man’s a Man for A’ That at the opening of the Scottish Parliament,” Alex adds. “Des does the best Donald Trump I have ever heard. He’s even better than the real thing, actually.”

Alex also opens up the floor to audience questions – and there’s bound to be a few about Indyref2. His response is: “Timing of a referendum is a matter for Nicola. However, if somebody wants to come along to the Caird Hall and ask me the question, then I will answer it.”

Alex Salmond Unleashed … The Tour started out as a run of 19 performances at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe before embarking on an autumn Scottish tour. The new dates are part of the first mini-tour of 2018.

“The stage show is quite different from the festival show because you get one hour in the venue,” Alex explains.

“With the stage show we get a bit more time, which makes it more fun.”

The success of the Fringe production also led to Alex hosting a weekly talk show on RT, the Russian state-funded broadcaster.

Naturally, a political backlash followed the announcement, with critics accusing RT of being a propaganda tool for Vladimir Putin’s government.

Alex says: “My job is to produce a good television show which is justified in its own right.

“What I can absolutely tell you – and what is absolutely clear from all the ones we have broadcast so far – there’s not an ounce of propaganda in it. It’s all my devising and it actually gives more voices to more people than any other political show that I know of.”

So, does Alex anticipate Dundee folk will go easy on him? “I certainly hope not. They didn’t give Churchill an easy ride so I don’t expect to get one myself.”

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Please check with venues for cancellations due to adverse weather

Alex Salmond will take to the stage in Dundee tonight.