On the penultimate date of his UK Tour, acclaimed composer and performer Nigel Kennedy brought Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and his own creation The Four Elements to The New Theatre. The concert was certainly one of two halves. Pre-interval, Kennedy — sporting a surprising hairstyle and similarly extraordinary garb, of chain-covered trousers and over-sized rumpled shirt — supported by his Orchestra of Life, reinvented The Four Seasons. Kennedy, who could easily be described as a violin-wielding vagrant, guided his orchestra through the classic not with a baton, but with a series of wild hand gestures and enthusiastic nods, before breaking into unexpected electric violin solos. This particular rendition is known as ‘The Kennedy re-write’, and while definitely entertaining it would be perhaps more favoured by fans of Kennedy than fans of Vivaldi.

Kennedy’s performances are precisely that — performances rather than concerts. They are movements interspersed — and sometimes interrupted — by displays of camaraderie among the orchestra and their Faginesque frontman. Kennedy, with a mad grin, asks his lead violist: “Shall we start with Spring?” The response of, “Yes, Nigel,” is met with the announcement that the orchestra are, “tolerant” of their leader’s exploits. These small asides, while amusing, do often seem rather contrived.

By the second half, the on-stage antics seem to be flowing more naturally — as is the beer from Kennedy’s numerous bottles. It seems that these performances are as unpredictable as the concertos they feature. Owing to an over-run first half, The Four Elements become three. Kennedy opens with Air, which provides a moment of perfect calm, before taking to the piano for Earth — an offering of jazz, complete with booming vocals.

Without doubt, Kennedy is a man of multi-talents who is more than capable of interpreting classical favourites for a modern audience. He brings far more than masterful music to the stage; he brings laughter and a lasting memory.