Wacky duo Frisky and Mannish are the latest act to receive the seal of approval from the Edinburgh Fringe. We speak to them as they bring their must-see show to Burnley tonight.

FRISKY and Mannish have acquired a label as the Lady Gagas of the comedy circuit.

And after just five minutes watching their set, you realise it’s a pretty accurate summary of the unique double act, appearing tonight at Burnley Mechanics.

With devilish flamboyance, the two Oxford graduates use extravagant lighting and eccentric wardrobes to entertain with the hidden intricacies of pop music.

The Frisky and Mannish experience is made up of a series of ‘mash-ups’ from the world of pop, creating a variety act that force-marries mismatched stars from Whigfield to Chris de Burgh.

Their current show, The College Years — sequel to last year’s hit, School of Pop, which went on to tour internationally — received rave reviews during a sell-out run at this year’s prestigious Edinburgh Fringe.

After blowing the critics away, they’ve taken their show on the road to present to the rest of the UK the plethora of possibilities buried within frivolous chart hits.

Or, as they sometimes put it, ‘just mess about with pop songs’.

The pair have created their own versions of Chris de Burgh’s A Spaceman Came Travelling, Bonnie Tyler’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart and the Ting Tings’ That’s Not My Name.

Dexys Midnight Runners’ classic Come On Eileen is one of their personal favourites.

Given the Frisky And Mannish treatment, the wedding playlist favourite becomes something quite different: The Ballad of Eileen Johnson, northern housewife, tells a tale of woe, creating a far darker piece that would be more fitting to a scene from Blood Brothers.

Their name comes from a Lord Byron poem and was used “just because it sounded weird,” explained Frisky, known off-stage as Laura Corcoran, from Altrincham.

Laura, who dyes her hair bright red for the part, met her partner in comedy, Matthew Jones (Mannish) at Oxford University.

Their double act was born by a ‘happy accident’ when they were asked to fill a 10 minute spot at a charity event. They secured their second gig that same night.

“From the name came the characters really,” explained Laura, 25.

“We always wanted to be actors so our double-act was born that way, rather than from a desire to get into the comedy scene.

"Our characters are quite condescending, and rude in some ways but they’re still fun.

“We have a little collection of love songs that are our warped numbers,” said Laura, the great-granddaughter of Alice Bell, one of the original Tiller Girls.

“Songs that most people think of as really beautiful love songs we do from a stalker’s point of view by finding something in the lyrics that suggest something else.

"Like in Eternal Flame, it was the line, ‘I watch you when you are sleeping’ — which is a bit weird.”

Laura added: “I love being Frisky, I get to dye my hair stupid colours and wear silly things.

"I was always so bland because I wanted to be an actress so I was trying to be a blank canvas. But now Frisky is creeping into me as Laura.

“We’ll have a great time in Burnley. Come along and see what you think, I’m sure you’ll love it as much as we do.”

l Frisky and Mannish — Burnley Mechanics, tonight at 8pm. To book tickets priced at £10 contact the box office on 01282 664400. Also payable on the door.