As Mark T. Cox appears decorated with a handle bar moustache and a full leather get-up, he surprises the audience with his beautiful rendition of ‘On The Floor’ by Jennifer Lopez, accompanied with an Irish flare.
Cox’s cabaret show focuses on his life growing up as a gay man in the West of Ireland, which is where he found his love for pop music. As he explains, Cox along with his childhood friend, would rummage in his sister’s magazines looking at the Spice Girls, but he’s sure they may have been looking for different reasons. After reminiscing about running into this certain friend years later at a wedding, Cox fades into the beautiful piano melody of ‘Say You’ll Be There’ by the Spice Girls.
As well as acoustic piano covers of pop songs, Cox tries his hand at original songs with lyrics relating to his own life. They vary from an emotional melody about sleeping with married men from your hometown over Christmas, to a song about being with a man for his money.
Cox’s comedic timing is cheek-achingly funny and his natural penchant for singing is an added bonus throughout the show. Cox is able to create a strong bond with his audience, he even gives a quick rundown on how to Irish lilt along to a song. Afterwards I felt myself singing along to the lilt from a song by The Corrs and I don’t think it will be going away anytime soon.
Mark T. Cox: Paddy Daddy, Gilded Balloon Patter House – Bothie, 22:40, Aug 17-26.
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/mark-t-cox-paddy-daddy
