For 105 years, the Aberdeen Student Show has been delighting audiences with its unmistakable blend of Doric humour, big musical numbers, and just the right amount of chaos. A firm fixture in the Granite City’s cultural calendar since 1921 (pandemic aside), it proudly holds the title of the UK’s longest-running student charity show of its kind, raising over £150,000 each year for local causes while it’s at it. Not bad for a bunch of students with scripts, songs, and a lot to say about Aberdeen.
This year, the tradition gets an original, rom-com twist with Cove Actually, a parody of the beloved 2003 Christmas film, Love Actually. Cleverly sidestepping the small issue of it not actually being Christmas, the show frames its festive spirit through a chaotic care home Nativity. Trading London for the north-east, the production leans into everything from local landmarks to Doric one-liners, reimagining a globally adored classic through a distinctly Aberdonian lens. Expect romance, ridiculousness, and plenty of nods to its source material.
And the story doesn’t stop at the stage. With a documentary currently in the works celebrating over a century of Student Show history, this year’s production feels like part of something bigger, a living, singing, joke-cracking legacy that continues to evolve with every new cast, crew, and audience ready to laugh along.
You can’t beat a Student Show grunnie, and this year, we’re spoiled with two. As the aul best pals at the heart of Cove Actually, Old Mel Drum and Barb Dywer, Abbie Menzies and Emmah Chibesakunda are an absolute riot. Residents of the Buttery Bungalow Care Home, their friendship is both hilarious and oddly touching, grounding the show amidst all its chaos. The physicality is dialled all the way up, the jokes are gloriously filthy, and every moment they’re on stage feels like a masterclass in classic Student Show comedy.
Stepping into some very recognisable shoes, Finlay Keir takes on Hugh Granite, Aberdeen’s dancing provost, with plenty of charm. Opening with that iconic bum-shaking moment, Keir leans into the familiar Hugh Grant energy while making the role his own, pairing awkward charisma with genuinely impressive vocals. Alongside him, Eve Reynolds’s Hannah Clue is a delight, her exaggerated Americanisms and joyful butchering of the local lingo provide plenty of laughs as their romance unfolds. Meanwhile, Calum Ross relishes his role as Mayor Trey Baiks, serving up a swaggering antagonist complete with southern drawl and cowboy hat.
Brandon Dubber is instantly recognisable as Danny Dywer, the archetypal “Fitba Da”, all gruff edges and laddish bravado, bringing strong comic energy while also anchoring a more grounded father-daughter storyline. Opposite him, Megan Love shines as Jess Dywer, delivering powerhouse vocals alongside a relatable performance as she navigates family expectations and her own passions.
At the Buttery Bungalow, Matthew Buchan is instantly endearing as Finn Tree, the ever-patient activities coordinator (and long-suffering OAP wrangler). His earnestness makes him easy to root for, particularly as he’s continually bulldozed by his boss, Clare Holmes. Sally Stewart plays Holmes with delicious severity. Buchan’s friendship with Jess adds a welcome layer of sincerity, reminding us that love in this world isn’t always romantic.
As the most hated character in christmas film history, Liam Tait steps into the Alan Rickman-inspired Walter Sports. His portrayal of the oblivious husband is measured and effective, providing a strong counterpoint to the emotional stakes around him. As Mel Drum Sports, Jenna Bothwell channels the spirit of Emma Thompson with a performance full of concern and emotional weight. But don’t expect Joni Mitchell to make an appearance, we have Robbie Shepherd for that! Opposite her, Ella Silver’s Tina Stooshie is all calculated charm, and their duet ‘I Hiv Tae Know’ offers a moment of narrative clarity.
Ella Webster brings the show to a close as Chappell Tonne. Throughout, her battle with stage fright is mined for plenty of cheeky comedy, but it’s in the final moments that she truly shines. Closing with ‘Love Aiberdeen’, Webster delivers a beautifully controlled, tender performance that ties the entire production together; heartfelt, sincere, and just the right amount of emotion to send the audience out on a high.
This production truly stands as one led by its ensemble, and what an ensemble it is. In true Student Show fashion, there are no small parts here. Every scene is bursting with individual moments, blink-and-you-miss-it jokes, and finely tuned physical comedy, giving each performer their chance to shine. Whether they’re rowdy football fans, struggling actors, Original 106 DJs, disgruntled bus-gaters, French tourists, or utterly hysterical OAPs, the energy never dips and the commitment never wavers.
What’s most impressive is the level of detail: background action is just as rewarding as the main focus, encouraging the audience to keep their eyes peeled at all times. Particular highlights include; Aberdeen’s answer to Rowan Atkinson, Alex Donnelly as Mr Deen, and a brilliantly drawn-out proposal sequence, hilariously narrated by Erin Urquhart. This talented bunch are as follows: Tain Robbie, Jess McWilliam, Harry Stewart, Erin Glennie, Daisy Armstrong, Abbie Burns, Aimmee Duguid, Katie Elrick, Kherri French, Lidoa Gaudie, Erin Grant, Rachel Green, Sophie Hatrick, Emily Hindle, Stephanie Hoy, Cameron Lawson, Emily McGlashan, Lucy Morris, Katie Morrison, Lea Ruecker, Ewan Smith, Robyn Sweeney, Olly Walton-Ross and the ‘Scotland The What’ Prize Winner, Emmie Macgillivray.
Reuniting the team behind last year’s standout Seagully Blonde, Cove Actually arrives with high expectations, and promptly smashes through them. Under the direction of Gavin McKay, alongside assistant director Hannah Davidson, the production is a masterclass in clarity and comic timing. Despite the numerous plots in this production, it is impossible to get lost. The result is slick, fast-paced, and consistently funny: dad jokes are met with affectionate groans, innuendos with delighted squeals. It’s confident, controlled chaos, and it works brilliantly.
Nothing truly beats the music of a Student Show and Kenneth Lypka delivers exactly what you hope for. There’s something uniquely electric about that sound, and under Lypka’s direction (with arrangements by Lypka and Mikey Innes), it soars. From 2000s pop bangers to The Beatles classics, the score is both nostalgic and freshly reimagined. Harmonies are crisp, clear, and at times genuinely jaw-dropping, with standout moments including ‘Traffic at the Haudagain’, ‘I Might Hurl’, and ‘Love Aiberdeen’ all delivered with polish and punch.
Choreographer Sarah Smith, now in her tenth year with the Student Show, proves once again why she’s such a vital part of its success. Assisted by Indy Watson, she crafts dynamic, visually engaging movement that enhances both character and comedy. There’s a real sense of joy embedded in her work, moments that feel as fun to perform as they are to watch, paired with a precision that makes even the most intricate sequences look effortless. Whether it’s striking ensemble shapes or the brilliantly observed physicality of the OAPs, her work adds texture and energy throughout.
Writers Alison Sandison and Dan Greavey offer something refreshingly different this year with a completely original script. Weaving together bite-sized narratives is no small task, but here it feels effortless. Rather than relying on a single, overarching plot, the writing leans into character and community, giving the show with warmth, humour, and a genuine affection for Aberdeen that’s reminiscent of the Student Show’s roots of sketch comedy.
On the technical side, Lewis Todd’s lighting design is sharp and purposeful, using moments of isolation and bold visual choices to shape both the high-energy numbers and quieter scenes. Brian Gunnee once again proves a master of his craft, with sound design that is both playful and precise; every fabric rip, North Sea splash, and radio crackle landing exactly where it should.
Finally, Alan Webster’s set, beautifully complemented by projections from Ross Brechin, creates a vibrant and flexible world for the action to unfold. Clever use of space and detail keeps the stage alive with possibility, matching the show’s energy while grounding it in a distinctly Student Show charm.
Cove Actually delivers everything you could want from an Aberdeen Student Show; sharp writing, standout performances, and a team clearly working in perfect sync. It’s character-driven storytelling, high-energy ensemble, pitch-perfect comedy, and the best way to raise heaps of money for local charities.
It’s a reminder of why this show has lasted over a century. The team should feel “quite pretty” chuffed with what they have achieved: A joyous, laugh-out-loud success that proves that in Aberdeen, love actually is all around, and then some.
All you need is love… and a ticket. Go and sort the second bit. https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/whats-on/cove-actually-student-show-2026/
Theatre Scotland 
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