Former Singing Kettle stars Funbox bring a hootenanny to the Highlands with their Wild West Show at Eden Court, Inverness this weekend
FUNBOX’s latest show might be getting ready to ride off into the sunset with its last few performances coming to Eden Court, but work is already well underway on a follow up.
Since rising from the ashes of the Singing Kettle following its end in 2015, the Scottish entertainers have spent the past four and a half years delighting audiences across the country with their shows.
The gang come to Eden Court with this year’s brand new Wild West Show. An adventure stuffed with humour, hoedowns and hijinx at high noon, the show sees Kevin Macleod, Gary Coupland and Anya Scott-Rodgers - with the help of Bonzo the dog – hunting for the keys to the Funbox after having them stolen by a lowlife varmint.
But when Kevin answers the phone to talk about the show, he’s already deep into planning ahead for Christmas – and beyond. “It’s a wee bit like being a card manufacturer, you know,” he explained.
“They have seasons for having to do things, so it’s like, ‘right that’s Christmas out of the way, we better get our Valentine’s cards’. It’s a wee bit like that, we’ve always got to be a season or two ahead.
“So I’ve been looking at Christmas banners this morning that I’m getting approved for advertising the Christmas show, but I’ve also been looking ahead to next year – which I can’t say much about!
He laughed. “I nearly said a word there, but I won’t!”
And Kevin pulls a lot of duties in Funbox – cowriting the songs, the shows and helping to manage every aspect of the Funbox business during the week so that the trio can travel and perform.
However, he also has an additional responsibility – chief wrangler of Bonzo, big dog of the Funbox gang. “Yeah, I look after him, if he can be looked after – he’s kind of out of control to be honest, but I do what I can!
“Bonzo’s great, because he can get away with more. And occasionally you get kids asking, ‘Can we meet Bonzo?’ and he can be quite elusive in that respect. But if they do meet Bonzo, he’s a big chap our Bonzo – he’s about seven feet tall, and he’s quite a big character so he can sometimes be quite a bit alarming!
“Bonzo can get away with stuff. Bonzo’s the one that the older brothers and sisters who come to the show, that’s who Bonzo really appeals to, because he does do the, you know, bum and farting jokes and stuff like that – he gets away with stuff that maybe the other characters can’t get away!
Right now though, it’s the high noon hootenanny of the Wild West that’s taking up Kevin’s stage time, and it’s a location and subject ripe for Funbox show material.
“With Wild West, there are so many great songs in a Wild West sort of style – Country Western style songs,” Kevin explained. “So it seemed like a great theme for us.
“It’s been good fun. Of course I’m going to say this, I think it’s one of our strongest shows! But then I probably say that every year!
“Kids love dressing up and grown ups love dressing up – it’s an easy dress up for the mums and dads to do as well to be honest – a gingham shirt and a neckerchief and you’re away!”
Funbox bring their Wild West Show to Eden Court on Saturday and Sunday, with two shows (noon and 3pm) each day. Tickets cost £14 (family/group concessions available). For more info go to www.funbox.co.uk
