The Mitch Benn Music Club
IMWP
E4 Udderbelly’s Pasture @ 23:15, Aug 2-25 (not 6, 12, 13, 19 or 20), (2hrs), £11.00 (£9.00), £12.50 (£10.00)
*****
There are many reasons why Mitch Benn deserves the admiration of all self respecting music lovers, the most obvious one being that he openly vows to murder James Blunt given the chance. Beyond that, he is a veritable music Casanova, so consumed by his love of aural pleasure that he must seduce and embrace all (attractive) tune based forms.

Mitch is a mirthful musical mickey-taking magpie, he has the same passion for music that I have for alliteration! He’s also a very skilled comedy lyricist, so much so that during the interval he wrote an entirely new song based on my suggestion. I wasn’t getting special treatment, I just chirped in upon his request when the other audience members’ brain cogs were still kicking into action.

With a small but perfectly formed band in tow, Mr Benn takes us on a tuneful tour of some of his most recent comedy concoctions, using and abusing many greatly loved compositions on the way. His ability to parody pop is second to none, even that other bloke who’s well known for mixing music and comedy (who’s name I won’t mention for fear that Mitch has another drastic haircut to avoid comparison!) Sadly his audience seems harshly restricted to those who’ve gathered awareness of his work through his radio appearances, because his appeal can easily stretch to those who don’t necessarily tune into BBC radio stations 2 and 4 (pay attention readers, this means you).

As with many of the Fringe’s late night shows, The Mitch Benn Music Club features special guests, so there are extra treats in store. But that’s just the icing on the cake as the vast array of tasty titbits laid out by Mitch and his friends is treat enough to make a great ending to an August Edinburgh night. It’s a foot-tapping rib-tickling bonanza.

by Ian Phillips

The National Student's
2007 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
coverage is supported by