The Argus: fringe_2011_logo_red_thumb As a concept Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer is truly original - a banjolele-wielding, tweed-wearing MC combining hip-hop with the values of the English upper classes.

The real test was whether the concept would stretch across a full hour.

That it did is a testament to Mr B's songwriting skills and intelligent stagecraft - opening and closing the set with accessible "chap hop" renditions of old skool and acid house favourites, while devoting the rest of the programme to his self-penned ditties.

Mixing pre-programmed drum loops with his banjolele and upper class vowels, Mr B's own material worked best when both worlds collided - as on his brilliant attack on bishop's son-turned-urban MC Westwood in Whatever Happened To Timothy?

Elsewhere he referred to both Easy-E and his "sherry monocle" in a song about venereal disease, introduced the audience to his "porcelain crutch" in a piece of B-boy Charleston, and bemoaned the lack of kissing in porn.

He brought to mind memories of Ronnie Corbett, with his large glasses and educated cut-glass accent, and proved with some tricky banjolele work what a true musician he was.

As a performer he is perfectly suited to the vintage-loving Brighton audience, and what's more he's not just a one-trick pony.