HALFWAY through his four-month UK tour, musical satirist Mitch Benn brought his first-ever solo show to Forest Arts.

A favourite performer on BBC Radio 4’s Now Show, Benn is a very funny musician with strong vocals. His songs are original, catchy and melodic.

His unique lyrics are witty, intelligent and innovative, ranging from the longing Be My Doctor Who Girl through the satirical I Want An African Baby – The Latest Status Symbol to the biting A Song For Europe – “UKIP are the Waitrose BNP”.

The hilarious Couples’ Song features lots of burping, yawning, and references to “dirty pants”, while the punchy lyrics in Break-up Song include the insults we wished we’d used to the ex-lovers who messed us around.

Inviting audience topics for a song he’d write during the interval, resulted (20 minutes later) in a perceptive number about Justin Bieber, the Pope, and the recent Eastleigh by-election.

Show highlights include the country and western pastiche Spontaneous Combustion, the Jeff Wayne-inspired The Hungry Caterpillar, and the song for his young daughters including the line “When you’re 60 and 62, I’ll be 97 and still living with you!”

The tour’s title Reduced Circumstances refers to Benn’s weight loss – from 25 stone in 2011 to 14 stone now – but also explains the absence of his usual live backing band The Distractions.

Eschewing talented musicians for a gimmicky distorted phone app results in a thin repetitive sound.