When she did her routine at Live Theatre, most of Karen Dunbar’s audience members were her fellow Scottish people, and there was a level of audience participation that was starting to make me a bit nervous. Spectators were announcing their bathroom trips, affectionately heckling, and just generally getting involved. Thankfully, I went unnoticed, and was able to enjoy the show without becoming part of it. As well as classic comedic themes such as “kids these days”, Dunbar’s comedy consists of anecdotes spanning her life, from her deprived upbringing in the grim little town of Ayr - “sun, sea, sand and sewage” - to her coming out as a lesbian and beginning her career as a rude and raucous comedienne.

Unapologetically Scottish, working-class, middle-aged and gay, Dunbar’s style of comedy is confronting, but also at times affecting. One story about her late sister and a brisket stands out as a particularly poignant moment. All in all, it was a fun and very engaging show.

Sid Phoebus