Linda Francis and Ken Pollock gave outstanding performances in Ropemaker Theatre Company’s A Show of Two Halves, as part of the Hailsham Festival, at Hailsham Parish Church.

Ken oozed exuberance, wit and charisma in A Tribute to Stanley Holloway, with material written by himself, Marriot Edgar and Stanley Holloway.

The experienced Eastbourne actor, 66, was in his element as Holloway, renowned for his role in My Fair Lady and his comedy monologues. Ken regaled us with six monologues, including Albert and The Lion and Pick Oop Tha Musket, before finishing in style by playing the spoons to Any Old Iron.

He recruited ladies from the audience to join in the fun and compensated for his limited vocal range with his sheer exuberance when singing without accompaniment.

Linda Francis, taking over the role of poison pen letter writer Irene at five days’ notice because Ruth Tansey was ill, also excelled in Alan Bennett’s Lady of Letters.

Her wonderful delivery and mannerisms treated us to bitter-sweet monologue at its best as Irene related how her endless complaints led to her own imprisonment.

A microphone would have benefited both Linda and Ken, who used 20 voices, but the shrewd direction of John Wilders contributed to superb entertainment.

-The Hailsham Festival of Arts and Culture continues until Sunday September 21.