The Really Terrible Orchestra

I spent this evening in The City Halls, where the Edinburgh-based Really Terrible Orchestra gave its debut concert in Glasgow. This, we were told, was the culmination of its world tour, which started in Pittenweem...

The orchestra played several well-known pieces really badly, and instead of an interval - they find that if they let the audience out, they quite often don't come back! - its most famous member, the distinguished author Alexander McCall Smith, was interviewed by another member of the orchestra, providing us with an entertaining insight into some of the most loved characters from his many books.

I don't think I will ever forget their rendition of the last few bars of the 1812 Overture, where, since the orchestra couldn't rise to cannon fire, the audience had to help them by blowing up paper bags that had been supplied with the programme, and burst them on cue from the conductor! Very effective it was too!

The Really Terrible Orchestra is aptly named, but they provide a highly amusing night's entertainment!