SIMON Mayor and Hilary James will be performing at Halsway Manor in Crowcombe, on Saturday (January 17) at 8pm.

They’ve lost count of the number of air and road miles they’ve clocked up over the last few years but with the twin passports of Hilary James’ “wonderfully, honeydripping voice” and Simon Mayor’s standing as one of the world’s most renowned mandolinists, they’ve taken on an impressive and diverse array of international engagements from Vancouver Folk Festival and The Stephen Leacock Humour Festival (Canada) to Rudoldstat World Music Festival (Germany) and guesting at the Classical Mandolin Society of America.

It’s probably the diversity that surprises most people who haven’t seen them before; the voice and mandolin playing isn’t even the half of it.

Both are highly talented guitarists, Hilary is also an occasional step-dancer and arguably one of Berkshire’s greatest mandobass players, Simon a dazzling fiddler.

With a repertoire easily crossing from traditional ballads to blues, Berlioz, classical mandolin show-stoppers and some of their own notorious comic songs, it’s all wrapped up in a hugely entertaining stage show and some of the driest humour this side of Humph.

Serious stuff – but don’t take it seriously!

Find them at www.mandolin.co.uk. Hear them at www.mandolin.co.uk To make a booking please phone Viv Butler, events and booking manager on 01984-618274 or email office@halswaymanor.org.uk with your requirements.

Tickets are also available via the website www.halswaymanor.org.uk