219x147thingummyjigThingummyjig is back at Edinburgh Corn Exchange on 23 and 30 August and tickets are still available.

Thingummyjig was STV’s top rated music and dance programme in the 70s and 80s.

After a gap of over twenty years the Haddington Corn Exchange was selected to revive the show as part of East Lothian’s Homecoming Events. Jack McLaughlin who has a real affection for East Lothian having started his broadcasting career on the pirate ship Radio Scotland which was launched from Dunbar. His book about the first days of pirate radio from East Lothian, Pirate Jock was published last year.

East Lothian has a strong tradition of Scottish music. The first band featured on Thingummyjig  was Jim Johnston from Tranent and Jim also wrote the theme tune for the programme. Bobby Colgan from Macmerry was on drums for that first series and still plays a part in the local music scene.

Some of the original stars of the show such as Alastair MacDonald, Tom Alexander , Morag McKay, the John Carmichael Band and East Lothian’s Bobby Colgan all formed part of the line-up with new local musicians and of course joining them on stage the Thingummyjig Dancers.

The night was hosted by the Laird of Coocaddens himself Jack McLaughlin who fronted every edition of the show on television.

Tartan Events was formed in September 2013 and includes three of the original team Jack McLaughlin (show host), Charles Davidson (production) and Cliff Martin (show director).

After a sellout show at Haddington Thingummyjig is now coming to the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh on Saturday 23rd and 30th of August

Ticket details here. 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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