For the Twelfth year running, East Region Cabaret took place at Perth Concert Hall. This year, the sold out audience and judges sat down to watch a selection of 10 minute performances from eight clubs across the East Region, on Saturday, February 10, with new sponsors Scotmin Nutrition.

The eight teams, introduced by David Lawrie, East Region chairman, took to the stage to sing, dance and act, in the hope of taking home the BP Farm Service Perpetual Trophy.

In the running this year were teams from Bathgate JAC, East Fife JAC, Bell Baxter ADS, Peebles JAC, Reston JAC, Brechin YFC, Strathmore JAC, and Forfar JAC and judging the very closely fought competition was the trio of Mrs Christine Baillie, Mrs Clare Dickson and Mr Jimmy Dick.

The show was opened beautifully by Katrina Kennedy from Aberfeldy JAC singing two well-known songs, treating the crowd to beautiful renditions of Valerie and Caledonia.

Bathgate JAC kicked off the first cabaret of the night , setting the bar high for the rest of the evening. Not to be overtaken, they went on to take the top spot this year with a score of 92 5/6, with their performance of “Merry Mischeif”, produced by Hazel Ireland and David Walker.

Bell Baxter ADS secured second place with their performance of “A Cunning Tail” on a score of 89 2/3, produced by Jacqui and Jenna Brand.

Very closely behind them in third and missing out by 1/3 of a point was East Fife JAC on a score of 89 1/3 for their performance of “It’s Time for Africa”, produced by Anna Dickinson and David Smout.

Bell Baxter ADS topped the individual placings with member Sandy Dawson taking home the trophy for Best Act outwith the winning team with his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham.

Claiming the Best Comedy act was Andrew Dixon from Reston JAC as New Bo Peep.

Closing the evening with an act from their 2017 Pantomime, Mother Goose, were previous cabaret winners Perthshire District, keeping the audience entertained while the judges were busy finalising the results.