The Tiger Lillies is a world of death, debauchery and drink powered by effortlessly amazing musicianship and Martyn Jacques's unforgettable voice.

With its colourful canopy and big-top style space, The Spiegeltent couldn’t have provided a more appropriate backdrop for the trio.

Jacques’s lyrics, frequently expressed in his faultless castrato tones, are not for the faint-of-heart. Aunty Mabel - a tale of a sexually-voracious transgender amputee - would never be playlisted on national radio, and Banging In The Nails, a blackly tongue-in-cheek account of Jesus’s crucifixion would probably be denounced from pulpits across the world.

But on occasion the tone changed to allow Jacques to sing some truly heart-rending lyrics as on the piano-driven Another Glass Of Wine, or the musical saw-powered Tears In The Rain.

The interludes provided some respite to catch the breath, brought a tear to the eye, and gave even more power to the more comic selections, while at the same time not feeling out of place.

They are unlikely to ever be more than a cult concern in the UK – lacking the universal appeal which might see them get presented on a national platform – but judging by the packed crowd and Jacques’s hilarious clown-faced interactions with the audience the fringe is where they are happiest.