Looking at Hinge and Bracket in their show at the Globe, it is hard to escape the conclusion that they are a variety act who, 30 years ago, would probably have done a 20 minute spot to close the first half of a bill.  This is not to say that they are not excellent entertainment, simply that what is essentially miniaturist in concept, a music hall sketch, has been stretched out to two hours with a lot of resource and just a little padding.

On the first night, at least, there was evidence that they have slightly coarsened their approach. Dame Hilda threw in a few gags which not only cheapened the show but were regrettably ancient. And unlike their first appearance at the May Fair a few years ago, one was made more aware that they are female impersonators. Their main strength, of course, is that we accept them as two rather dotty women in late middle age, madly in love with a bygone form of theatre and bathing the audience in a nostalgic glow. There is also the marvellous contrast between the two personalities, with Dame Hilda Bracket (Patrick Fyffe) being irresistibly skittish, giggling and goading Dr Evadne Hinge (George Logan) heroically suffering the barbs but occasionally fighting back with a sharp-tongued put-down.

Musically, they cleverly stay just the right side of burlesque. Dame Hilda giving the impression, aided by Patrick Fyffe’s remarkable voice, that here is a singer only slightly past her peak. At the piano, and pitching-in in fine style in such items as The Cats' Duet by Rossini, Dr Hinge is a sensitive, accurate accompanist.