TAKING only a slightly-sideways step out of his comfort-zone, but still totally at ease, local am-dram leading-light Mark Ponsford treated a sizeable audience to a hilarious one-man show.
The evening of entertainment featured humorous songs and anecdotes that leaned heavily toward the old-time music halls, all heavily laced with innuendo.
He effortlessly weaved his way between stories of his experiences at the Edinburgh Fringe and exploits as a leading-light with local Gilbert and Sullivan company Pocket Theatre.
An accomplished pianist, his choice of songs covered a wide range of subjects, including how his poor handwriting once caused him embarrassment and the pitifully minor contribution the chorus makes to the Oklahoma title song.
The show included many hidden gems, unearthed as a result of his affection for long-forgotten songs, but there were some popular old favourites, including When Father Painted the Parlour and a sing-along Three Old Ladies Stuck In The Lavatory.
The first half of the show ended with a hilarious Am-Dram Rap, with Ponsford throwing some pretty cool shapes.
His style evokes memories of old-school acts such as Stanley Holloway, Frankie Howerd, Larry Grayson and, more recently, Richard Stillgoe and Victoria Wood.
Every song had a risqué twist to it and the audience lapped it up.
His Greek-language equivalent of Old MacDonald had a farm, complete with all the animal noises, delivered at break-neck speed, wrapped-up a very enjoyable evening in the company of a very, very funny, multi-talented performer.
ALAN JOHNS
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