Aberdeen Student Show

Aberdeen Student Show
Genre	Musical Comedy or Revue
Show type	Annual student charity
Date of premiere	1921
Location	Aberdeen, Scotland
Creative team
Various	Changes annually
Official website

Aberdeen Student Show^[1] is a musical and theatrical show, usually with a strong comedy element, staged every year in Aberdeen, Scotland. Its purpose is to raise money for charity, as part of the Aberdeen Students' Charities Campaign.^[2]

The Student Show has been held annually every year since 1921. From the start it has involved a number of young writers, performers and musicians who have gone on to greater renown in the fields of theatre, media and the arts.

It is normally staged in one of Britain's major professional theatres.^[3] It usually reflects the distinctive humour, culture and character of people living in North-east Scotland.

The Student Show is traditionally performed by students involved in tertiary education in Aberdeen. It is generally written and produced by students, or former students, of the city's universities or colleges of further education.

Productions

Year	Title	Director	Script Editor	Musical Director	Choreographer
1921	Mock Trial[4]
1922	Stella, The Bajanella[5]	Eric Linklater		J. S. Taylor / R. F. G. McCallum
1923	Rosemount Nights[4][6][7]	Eric Linklater
1924	The Prince Appears[4][8]	Eric Linklater / Archie Hislop
1925	One Exciting Knight (?Night[4])[9]			R. F. G. McCallum
1926	The Witching Hour[4]
1927	Northern Lights[4]
1928	Admirable Crichton[10] / Northern Lights[4]	'3 Just Men'
1929	Northern Lights[4]	D. Hunter Munro
1930	Northern Lights[4]	William Norrie
1931	Northern Lights[4]	Douglas S. Raitt
1932	Aurora Borealis[4]	Moultrie R. Kelsall
1933	Town and Gown[4]	Douglas S. Raitt
1934a	The Spice of Life[4]
1934b	Town and Gown[4][11]	Douglas S. Raitt
1935	Caravanella[11]	Martin Gray / Stephen Mitchell
1936a	Spic and Span[11]	?James F. Mackay
1936b	Out For The Count[4][11]	?James F. Mackay
1937	That's What You Think[4][11]	Adrian Stephen
1938	Beating Time[4][11]	Douglas S. Raitt
1939	The 'Varsity Spirit[4][11]	Douglas S. Raitt
1940	Watch Your Step[11][12]	George E. Swinney / A.R. Taylor
1941	Hold That Smile[11]	A. M. Shinnie
1942	Neck or Nothing[11][13]	Fred W. Pirie
1943	Nuts in April[11][13]	Mrs Stephen Bundy
1944	Marischal Moments[11][13]	A. Hay Prestowe / Thomas Forbes
1945	Q For Laughter[11]	Thomas Forbes
1946	To Meet The Macgregors[11][14]	Thomas Forbes
1947	Cakes and Ale[11][13]	Vincent Park[15][16]		Addie Davidson	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)[17]
1948	Hooray for What[11][13]	Vincent Park			Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1949	Hitting Back[11][13]	A. M. Shinnie			Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1950	Passing Fancy[11][13]	Thomas Forbes	Bertram W. Symes	Lambert Wilson	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1951	Spring in Your Step[11][13]	Thomas Forbes	Colin MacLean	Lambert WIlson	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1952	Easter Fare[11][13]	Thomas Forbes		Alexander J. Gray / Lambert Wilson	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1953	Pick O' The Pack[11][13]	Thomas Forbes		Reginald Barrett-Ayres	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1954	Laughin’ At Life[11][13]	Thomas Forbes			Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1955	Out Of This World[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres		Reginald Barrett-Ayres	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1956	Here's To Tomorrow[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres		John Cheyne	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1957	College Bounds[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres / Bill Ramsay		Philip J. Lord	Eileen Ewen (later Howie)
1958	April Showers[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres / Bill Ramsay	William (Buff) Hardie	Philip J. Lord	Jean Birse
1959	Alma Mania[11][13]	George Low		Robert Howie	Jean Birse
1960	Folies Berserques[11][13]	George Low		Ian Kemp	Jean Birse
1961	Rage of King's[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres		James Macloy	Jean Birse
1962	No Laughing Matter[11]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres		Rob Leys	Jean Birse
1963	What A Life [11]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres	Ian Middler	James McCloy	Jean Birse
1963	Element of Surprise[11][13]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres	Buff Hardie / Stephen Robertson	Phillip Lord / George Donald	Jean Birse
1964	Feel Free[11]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres
1965	This Is It[11]	Reginald Barrett-Ayres
1966	One Degree Over[11]	James Logan
1967	Jest A Minute![11]	Harry Hill	Ian Middler	Eric Gross	Judy Gibb
1968	Running Riot[11]	James Logan	Buff Hardie / Stephen Robertson	John Bell / George Donald	Heather Fowie
1969	Kings and Quines[11]	Alan Nicol		John Kelsall / Alfie Tough	Marion Cobban / Helen Maclennan
1970	Half C's Over[11]	Alan Nicol		Alfie Tough	Sheena Hall
1971	71 Proof[11]	Alan Nicol		Jim Addison	Avril McDonald
1972	72 Revue[11]	James Logan	Tom Hutton / Ed Webster	Graham Reid	Valerie WIlson
1973	Fit's At![11]	James Logan		Jim Addison
1974	Fit Next![11]	Roddy Begg	Bob Irvine	Will Michael	Pat Thorpe
1975	Fit Like[11]	James Scotland		Will Michael
1976	A Just in Time[11]	Paul Cowan	Eric Crockart	Jenny Brown	Aileen Angus
1977	Royal Flush[11]	Charles Barron	Eric Crockart	Ian Maxwell	Aileen Angus
1978	Stage Fright[11]	Charles Barron	Eric Crockart	Ian Maxwell	Rhona Mitchell
1979	Strike It Rich![11]	Roddy Begg	Eric Crockart	Ian Maxwell	Rhona Mitchell
1980	Risques Galore[11]	Joyce Wilson	Rod MacFarquhar	Ewen Ritchie	Rosalind Erwin
1981	Sugar and Spice[11]	Rhona Mitchell	Gary Simpson	Alan King	Rhona Mitchell
1982	Fit's On?[11]	Sandra Rennie	Gary Simpson	Alan King	Laurie Burns
1983	Home Run[11]	Roddy Begg		Kay Henderson	Pauline Brooks
1984	Up The Poll[11]	Angie Walker (Campbell)		Ken Hutchison	Anne Maryse-Churchill
1985	Winning Streak[11]	Angie Walker (Campbell)		Ken Hutchison / Ken Hossick	Tina Moore
1986	A Coarse Line[11]	Ronnie Middleton[18]	Linda Brett	Ken Hossick / Gordon Mundie	Fiona Lamont
1987	The Provost Of Oz[11]	Sarah Stankler	Linda Brett	Ken Hossick	Karen Berry
1988	A Trivial Pursuit[11]	Ronnie Middleton[18]	Linda Brett	Mike Urquhart	Karen Berry
1989	Fresh Heir[11]	Ronnie Middleton[18]	Pete Cram	Ken Hossick	Karen Berry
1990	Mounthooly The Magic Roundabout[11]	Ronnie Middleton[18]	Pete Cram	Ewen Ritchie	Jane Harvey
1991	N.E. Man and The Burgers Of Doom[11]	Janet Adams	Fiona Walker	Roy Fraser	Laura Pike (later Jarret)/ Sharon Gill
1992	Boomtown[11]	Janet Adams	Alan D. Duncan / John Hardie	Roy Fraser	Laura Pike (later Jarret)
1993	Woodside Storey[11]	Pete Cram	John Hardie	Gavin Spencer	Laura Pike (later Jarret)
1994	Alas Poor Doric[11][19]	Laura Pike (later Jarret) / John Hardie	Greg Gordon	Clare Cordiner	Laura Pike (later Jarret)
1995	The Sound of Mastrick[11]	John Hardie	Andrew Brebner	Clare Cordiner / Sandy Nicol	Joyce Forrest
1996	The Good, The Bad and The Buttery[11][20]	John Hardie	Andrew Brebner	Sandy Nicol / Graham Read	Joyce Forrest
1997	Scaffie Society[21][22]	John Hardie	Andrew Brebner	Graham Read	Joyce Forrest
1998	From Rubislaw With Love	Janet Adams	Andrew Brebner	Luke McCullough	Gabrielle Miles
1999	A Tale of Two Fitties[23]	Janet Adams	Andrew Brebner	Luke McCullough	Gabrielle Miles
2000	Butch Cassie-End and The SunnyBank Kid[24]	Craig Pike	Simon Fogiel	Shirley Cummings / Lindsey Masson	Laura Lamb
2001	The Codfaither[25]	Craig Pike	Simon Fogiel	Shirley Cummings / Steven Rance	Laura Lamb
2002	A Midstocket's Night Scream[26]	David Lamb	Simon Fogiel	Steven Rance	Dawn Ramsay
2003	An American in Powis[27]	Gayle Watt (later Hardie[28])	Greg Gordon	Graham Read / Steven Rance	Lesley Anderson
2004	Spook Who's Talking	Janet Adams / Craig Pike	Andrew Brebner / Simon Fogiel	Graham Read	Lesley Anderson
2005	Fittie Woman[29]	Lynsay Wilson	Moray Barber	Ben Torrie	Shona King
2006	Yokel Hero[30][31]	Simon Fogiel	Andrew Brebner	Ben Torrie / Claire Angus	Alison Scott / Shona King
2007	Invasion of the Doric Snatchers[32][33]	Shirley Cummings	Andrew Merson	Brian Gunnee	Shona King
2008	Date Expectations[34][35][36]	Lynne Cowie[37]	Simon Fogiel	Steven Rance / Mairi Paton	Lindsay Bates[38]
2009	Dial 'M' For Mastrick[39][40]	Rebecca Gordon	Stuart King	Laura Jarret / Craig Pike	Shona King
2010	Back To The Teuchter[41][42]	Rebecca Gordon	Jonnie Milne	Anne Hingston / Iain Hingston	Colette Murray / Claire Chernouski
2011	Sleepless In Seaton	Ryan Peacock	Stuart King	Craig McDermott / Craig Pike	Rachel Bentley
2012	Mary Torphins	Ryan Peacock	Garry Watson	Craig Pike / Craig McDermott	Shona King
2013	Spital Shop of Horrors	Michelle Bruce	Garry Watson	Craig McDermott	Sarah MacNay
2014	Wullie Wonkie and the Fine Piece Factory	Michelle Bruce	Shane Strachan	Craig McDermott	Sarah MacNay

A more comprehensive database is available in Google Docs.^[43]

History

In 1920, at the prompting of the authorities at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, the Students' Representative Council (SRC) of Aberdeen University established a series of fund-raising events in aid of local hospitals; central to which was the annual Gala Week.^[4] In 1921 the Gala Week opened with the first Student Show, a mock trial (of a breach of promise case) held in the Aberdeen University Debating Chamber ("The Debater") at Marischal College.^[44] The Gala Week Committee then invited the University Debating Society to stage an annual musical comedy or revue based on student life.^[4] The first of these, in 1922, ‘Stella, the Bajanella’^[45] was written by then undergraduate Eric Linklater with music by JS Taylor. The Show then became an annual event, performed in various venues in Aberdeen, including the Training Centre Hall in St. Andrew Street, the Aberdeen College Hall and the Palace Theatre in 1927 and 1928, before finding a home in His Majesty's Theatre in 1929. Since then it has occasionally been performed elsewhere in the city, when His Majesty's Theatre was unavailable^[3] – the Aberdeen College of Education in 1981 and 1982, the Music Hall Aberdeen in 2004 and His Majesty's Theatre – Hilton (the former College of Education theatre) in 2005.

The Student Show has been produced every year in Aberdeen without a break since 1921,^[46] including throughout World War II.^[47] The cast is made up of volunteer students. They rehearse each new show during the Easter academic vacation. The following week - the first of the academic summer term - they perform the show, generally in the evenings, in front of paying audiences.^[1]

The 2013 Student Show, 'Spital Shop of Horrors' was staged at His Majesty's Theatre, on 17–20 April 2013 and raised a record breaking £67,386.60 for the Aberdeen Students' Charities Campaign. This compares with £32,000 ('Date Expectations', 2008); £38,000 ('Dial 'M' for Mastrick, 2009,^[48]); £49,000 ('Back to the Teuchter', 2010); £56,000 ('Sleepless in Seaton', 2011) and £57,969 ('Mary Torphins', 2012).

Cultural background

The Student Show traditionally draws on the humour and character of the North-east of Scotland. Much use is usually made of the Aberdonian dialect, as well as the Doric dialect spoken in rural parts of the North-east.

Notable alumni

Among those who were associated with the Student Show in its earlier years were Eric Linklater,^[47] Sonia Dresdel, Stephen Mitchell, Moultrie Kelsall, and Andrew Cruickshank.^[3] Cruickshank later became famous for his portrayal of Dr Cameron in the 1960s BBC Television series Dr Finlay's Casebook. Participants from later in the 20th Century include playwright and educationalist James Scotland,^[49] William "Buff" Hardie and Stephen Robertson of Scotland the What?, and members of The Flying Pigs.^[28] Other locally or nationally renowned past-performers, many of whom went on to careers in the news and entertainment industries, include Margo Barron, Derek Brechin, Quentin Cramb,^[28] Larry Gray, David and Gwen Haggart, Margaret Hardie, Jill Hay, Harry Hill, "Torry Quine" and Grampian TV celebrity June Imray, Douglas Kynoch (a broadcaster for over 30 years with Grampian Television and BBC Scotland, presenting the TV news programmes "Reporting Scotland" and "Nationwide", and the radio show "Good Morning Scotland"), Graham Stuart (BAFTA-award winning producer of So Graham Norton in 2001), Donald Manson, Ian Middler, George and Sheila Reid, Eva Robertson, Ruth Nicol Smith and Barry Symes.^[3]

Notable directors

Novelist, historian and playwright, Eric Linklater (director 1922–24) wrote and directed the first Student Show proper; 'Stella, the Bajanella'. His play 'To Meet the Macgregors' was performed as the Student Show in 1946. This was during his tenure as Rector of Aberdeen University from 1945 to 48.

Dr Douglas F. Raitt (known as "Rab The Rhymer") (director 1931, 1933–34, 1938–39) was a marine biologist who worked in the Marine Laboratory in the Aberdeen district of Torry. He was also a popular radio performer, singing at the piano in broadcasts from the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Aberdeen Studios.^[50] He died age 41 as a result of an accident with a car on October 4, 1944.^[51] The shows from 1935 to 1939 were musical comedies, mostly written by students under Raitt's direction.^[4] The 1933 show 'Town and Gown' was rewritten extensively and presented in its new form for a week in September 1934. This unusual timing for Student Show, during the university long vacation, was so as to coincide on September 10 and 11, 1934 with the third visit to Aberdeen^[52] of the British Association for the Advancement of Science.^[53][54]

Moultrie Kelsall, head of the then British Broadcasting Company's Aberdeen Radio Station, 2BD, produced 'Aurora Borealis' in 1932. Kelsall subsequently had a 30-year acting career in television and movies.

Reginald Barrett-Ayres^[55] (1920–1981), a graduate of Edinburgh University, was Director of Music at the Quaker Ackworth School near Pontefract, Yorkshire from 1942 to 45; and at Glasgow Academy from 1945 to 51. He joined Aberdeen University's Department of Music and Drama, as a Lecturer in January 1951. He became acting Head of Department in 1956 and remained in post (latterly, as Reader and Head of Department) until his death in a road accident at age 61. He was an expert on the music of Haydn, particularly the string quartets. His own compositions included three operas, concertos for violin and double bass, operettas, choral works, solos, duets, anthems and hymns.^[56] He was involved in many of the University's theatrical and musical productions, directing or co-directing an unsurpassed nine Student Shows between 1955 and 1965. With George Low he co-wrote the Show theme song "Spirit of Show". 'Laughing at Life', a show consisting of original music and arrangements, is listed as "c. 1961",^[57] but is likely to be the 1954 Student Show of the same title.

"A. Hay Prestowe" (co-director 1944) was the pseudonym of Andrew Shivas. While he was an undergraduate at Aberdeen he played in the university dance orchestra, was a tympanist for the university symphony orchestra, a pipe band big drummer, and student show xylophonist. He was also an accomplished conjurer, from which arose his pseudonym (a play on hey presto!),^[58] and co-founder, in 1925, of the Aberdeen Magical Society. A pathologist in later life in Edinburgh, Dr Shivas died of a stroke in 1996.^[59]

Roddy Begg, director of the 1974, 1979 and 1983 Student Shows, and of the 2000 and 2005 reunions, has a lifelong interest in the theatre, acting and directing for Aberdeen’s Studio Theatre Group^[60] (which he co-founded in the 1960s) and other dramatic and musical groups. He was Director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society and Honorary Vice President of Aberdeen Opera Company.^[61] A graduate of the University of Aberdeen, he was a member of staff for over three decades, as Secretary to the Faculties of Medicine and Science, Registry Officer, Clerk to the Senate, and Secretary to the University. He retired as Secretary in 1999, taking up the post of Director of Alumni Relations. He retired from the University in February 2002. In November 2006 he was awarded the Degree of Doctor of Honoris Causa by Aberdeen University, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to the Institution.^[62]

Charles Barron^[63] (1936-2012) was Student Show director 1977–78 and reunion co-director 2005. He had a long and prolific^[64] tenure in the dramatic arts, Doric dialect and history of the Scottish North-East. He graduated from Aberdeen University with a First Class Honours Degree in English Language and Literature, taught in Aberdeen and Inverurie, where began a 40-year association with Haddo House, as Shakespearean actor, Director of Operas, Arts Director and creator of the Youth Theatre. In 1970, he became Head of Speech and Drama at Aberdeen College of Education (later the Northern College of Education, which eventually became subsumed within Aberdeen University). He was the award-winning author of the Doric plays ‘Fooshion’ and ‘Amang the Craws’.

Rhona Mitchell choreographed the 1978, 1979 and 1981 shows, and also directed in 1981. She has worked professionally on radio and stage and as a freelance voice coach, drama tutor and director for more than 25 years with Scottish Television, BBC Scotland and many theatres across Scotland. She founded the Mitchell School of Drama in Inverurie in 1983. She co-directs the Abderite Theatre Company, in which capacity she directed 'Gobi's Eyes' in 2004, and 'Ouch' in 2005. She also produced the first Garioch Theatre Festival in April 2005.

Ronnie Middleton, an Arts Graduate of Aberdeen University, mathematics teacher at Powis Academy^[65] and later Cults Academy, dancer, singer and multi-faceted actor, directed Student Show in 1986 and from 1988 to 90, co-directed the 2000 reunion and took part as cast member in many shows in the 1970s. Ronnie was a prolific performer and director with local theatre groups. He co-founded the Aberdeen Phoenix Theatre Company.^[66] He was also closely involved in the Attic Theatre Company,^[67] in Powis Academy stage productions, Temporary Fualt and Punchline, until his death from cancer in 2002. Ronnie is also remembered for his secret, but well-known, fortnightly role at Pittodrie Stadium as Angus the Bull, Aberdeen Football Club's mascot.

Other notable contributors

George Sinclair, formerly headmaster at Powis Academy,^[65] stage-managed 38 Student Shows from the 1950s, many of them with the assistance of Colin MacKenzie, who eventually succeeded him as stage manager of Show. During the same period George Sinclair also stage-managed 32 shows for the Aberdeen Lyric Musical Society.^[3][68]

Other notable contributors behind the scenes, as recollected by former Show set designer Edi Swan, include stage managers Bill McCann, Derek Nisbet, Sandy Youngson, John Webster and Gus Law; choreographers Eileen Ewen (1947–57) and Jean Birse; set designers Alex Young and Melvin Dalgarno; make-up artists George Grant and Sandy Dale; wardrobe mistresses Alice Sparke and Ena McLaughlan; and administrators Philip Ross, Robin McLeod, Bob Downie, John Bain, Alec Main and John Duffus.^[3]

The script editor for the 1951 Student Show 'Spring In Your Step' was Colin MacLean, who went on to be the Founding Editor, in 1965, of the Times Educational Supplement, Scotland, and from March 1979 to June 1990 was Managing Director (Publishing) of Aberdeen University Press.

Theme song

The 1922 theme song "Stella, the Bajanella", by R. F. G. McCallum and J. S. Taylor, became a popular anthem for many years. It was replaced in the 1950s by "Spirit of Show", written by George Low with music by Reginald Barrett-Ayres. "Spirit of Show" has since remained the traditional anthem of Student Show.

Descendant comedy shows

"Scotland the What?". William "Buff" Hardie and Steve Robertson first met in the Student Show in 1952.^[69] George Donald, another University of Aberdeen student, wrote music for the 1954 Student Show, but did not take part in it. So all three only met together later through the Aberdeen Revue Group, which is where they also found their future producer Jimmy Logan. (He later had to revert in public to his formal first name "James" in order to join the actors' union Equity, because there was already a Glaswegian comic using the professional name Jimmy Logan.)^[70] Buff Hardie had first appeared in the 1951 Student Show 'Spring in Your Step', and co-wrote the 1957 show 'College Bounds'.^[71] But it was after the 1968 Show 'Running Riot' - which the four men wrote, composed, produced and directed - that the idea of putting on a show of their own at the Edinburgh Festival was first mooted.^[72] The on-stage trio of Hardie, Robertson and Donald first appeared under the banner of "Scotland the What?" at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1969. Jimmy Logan, who directed the Student Show in 1966, 1968 and from 1972 to 1973, also directed "Scotland the What?" from 1969 until his death in 1993.^[73]

"Temporary Fualt" (sic) and "Punchline". Michael Jamieson and Gary Simpson first took part in the 1976 Show 'A Just in Time'. Gary served as Student Show script editor (1981–82). In 1978 and 1980 they wrote and produced two "Temporary Fualt" revues at the Aberdeen University Student Union, and, in 1982 and 1983, the revues "Punchline: Second Hand News" and "Punchline: Upstage Downstage" at the Aberdeen Arts Centre. Many Student Show cast members took part, and several of the sketches first performed in these revues were reprised in subsequent Student Shows. After contributing to the script of the 2011 Student Show, Michael Jamieson wrote and produced Dr. Fa and the Thing fae Outer Speyside, which was performed and recorded at Dunbar Street Hall, Old Aberdeen on 3 January 2012. A number of current and former Student Show participants took part.

"The Flying Pigs". Student Show members Moray Barber, Andrew Brebner, Elaine Clark, Greg Gordon, Susan Gordon, John Hardie, Craig Pike and Steve Rance formed The Flying Pigs in 1997. The group have performed twelve revues in Aberdeen,^[74] at the Aberdeen Arts Centre, Lemon Tree Studio Theatre, and His Majesty's Theatre; as well as recording a BBC Scotland Radio series (Desperate Fishwives). A BBC Scotland TV Pilot of the same name was broadcast on 14 December 2010.

Titles

'Stella, the Bajanella' (1922) was apparently named for Stella Henriques, a medical student at Aberdeen University.^[75] Bajan, a medieval term (literally 'yellow beak' – bec jaune), describing trainees in the pre-student year,^[76] was traditionally applied to Aberdeen University freshmen.^[77] Female students were referred to as "bajanellas".^[78]

1928's 'Admirable Crichton' was a production of The Admirable Crichton, a comedy play written in 1902 by Scotsman J. M. Barrie, Rector of the University of St Andrews from 1919 to 1922. Barrie's older brother, Alexander, graduated with honours in Classics at Aberdeen University in 1866.^[79]

Several titles employ or make puns from local place names – 'Rosemount Nights' (1923); 'Mounthooly The Magic Roundabout' (1990), based on the city’s iconic Mounthooly Roundabout; 'Woodside Storey' (1993), 'The Sound of Mastrick' (1995), 'From Rubislaw With Love' (1998) 'Butch Cassie-End and The SunnyBank Kid' (2000) [the Aberdeen district of Causewayend is pronounced "Cassie-end"], 'A Midstocket's Night Scream' (2002), 'An American in Powis' (2003), 'Dial 'M' For Mastrick' (2009) and 'Mary Torphins' (2012). Two shows use the local pronunciation of Footdee – 'Fittie': 'A Tale of Two Fitties' (2000) and 'Fittie Woman' (2005).

Some titles draw on the local Doric dialect: 'Kings and Quines' (1969) [quine = girl]; 'Fit's At!' (1973) [ = what’s that?]; 'Fit Next!' (1974) [= what next ?/ now what?]; 'Fit Like' (1975) [how are you?]; 'Fit's On?' (1982)[= what’s on?]; 'Scaffie Society' (1997) [scaffie = street orderly. Cafe Society was a local restaurant and bar]; 'The Codfaither' (2001) (faither = father); cod refers to the formerly pre-eminent fishing port of Aberdeen; and 'Back To The Teuchter' (2010) – Teuchter being a Doric-speaking North-east Scot.

Many titles, traditionally, are puns and plays on other well-known theatrical titles, e.g. 'Folies Berserques' (1960) – Folies Bergère; 'Risques Galore' (1980) – Whisky Galore; 'A Coarse Line' (1986) – A Chorus Line; 'The Provost Of Oz' (1987) – The Wizard of Oz; 'Mounthooly The Magic Roundabout' (1990) – The Magic Roundabout; 'N.E. Man and The Burgers Of Doom' (1991) – Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; Woodside Storey (1993) – West Side Story; Alas Poor Doric (1994) – “alas poor Yorick!” from Hamlet; The Sound of Mastrick (1995) – The Sound of Music; 'The Good, The Bad and The Buttery' (1996) – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. (Buttery is an Aberdeen breakfast roll); 'From Rubislaw With Love' (1998) – From Russia With Love; 'A Tale of Two Fitties' (1999) – A Tale of Two Cities; 'Butch Cassie-End and The SunnyBank Kid' (2000) – Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; 'The Codfaither' (2001) – The Godfather; 'A Midstocket's Night Scream' (2002) – A Midsummer Night’s Dream; 'An American in Powis' (2003) – An American in Paris; 'Spook Who's Talking' (2004) – Look Who's Talking; 'Fittie Woman' (2005) - Pretty Woman; 'Yokel Hero' (2006) – Local Hero; 'Invasion of the Doric Snatchers' (2007) – Invasion of the Body Snatchers; 'Date Expectations' (2008) – Great Expectations; also based on the Cilla Black TV show 'Blind Date'; 'Dial 'M' For Mastrick' (2009) – Dial M For Murder; 'Back To The Teuchter' (2010) – Back to the Future; 'Sleepless in Seaton' (2011) - Sleepless in Seattle and 'Mary Torphins' (2012) - Mary Poppins.

The 1976 title, originally 'Just in Time', was changed by Director Paul Cowan to 'A Just in Time', as a play on 'adjusting' time (the show having a running time-travel theme).^[80]

Reunions

Under the auspices of the Aberdeen University Alumnus Association, reunion cabarets (titled "Spirit Of The Show", honouring the Barrett-Ayres and Low composition) featuring former members from Student Shows as early as 1942 were held at the Aberdeen University Student Union in 1995 (coinciding with the University's Quincentennial); and at the University's Elphinstone Hall in 2000 and 2005. Approximately 250 former cast members attended each reunion, of whom about 70 re-enacted sketches and musical numbers from former shows. The oldest performer in the 2000 reunion was Duncan Murray, a retired doctor from Kent, who had appeared in the Show between 1942 and 1945. He sang “Rosemount Rosie”, one of the most popular Student Show numbers of the 40s.^[81]

References