EARL OKIN: The Kiss of the Horny Man

Edinburgh Festival

---

The Fringe wouldn’t be the same, would it, without Mr. Okin? Thus is his 12th successive visit and, for me, it’s his most enjoyable show so far. With his nonchalant chat, sophisticated humour, witty lyrics and perfectly economic guitar/keyboard work, he still has an air of the strolling troubadour doubling London accountant about him.

And in case you don’t particularly like the show: ‘I want you to know that I have the best pre-show background tapes.’ Ella Fitzgerald appropriately enough, with a song called ‘How Long Has This Been Going On?’ and Nat ‘King’ Cole entertain before curtain up.

There’s Okin simulated trumpet too. Hence the show’s title, although he is wickedly saucy with it. Don’t go home without hearing his riotous send-up of Antonio Carlos Jobim and, as he put it, for the man who is not getting his share, a song he calls ‘Try Me Soon’. Can I award a SIXTH star?!

Rating. *****

John Gibson.