IRREPRESSIBLE showman Rainer Hersch will take audiences on a whirlwind tour back to 19th century Vienna through the music of the Strauss dynasty at the Pavilion next week.

Elegant dancers dressed in the glorious costumes of the period will twirl in graceful unison as the 27-piece Johann Strauss orchestra play a fizzing assortment of waltzes and polkas.

Comedian, musician and all-round entertainer Rainer Hersch, right, will conduct the evening which fuses music, dance and song in what has been billed as the ultimate Viennese party.

“I will be armed with a big stick and a small revolver in my left pocket,” he said laughing.

“I need to host and conduct, so I will be staring the audience in the eye, but also having to conduct the orchestra.

“Even people with absolutely no knowledge of the genre of music will definitely be able to enjoy the show because the music is just so accessible.

“It is an incredible show filled with stunning music.

“The six dancers are phenomenal. They made me join in for a waltz last year, so look out for that again.”

This glittering show features favourite waltzes and polkas from the Strauss family and friends, including The Blue Danube Waltz, Radetzky March, Emperor Waltz and Cuckoo Polka.

Rainer is best known for his comical take on classical music and has toured in more than 25 countries, most recently with his one-man-show centred on Victor Borge which was a total sell-out in at the Edinburgh Festival and in London’s West End.

“I find there is endless material with classical music because it takes itself too seriously and that’s what is so funny about it.

“People are almost too scared to go to classical music concerts because they’re worried about not knowing when to clap.”

“I am taking the mickey, but from the point of view of someone who loves it.”

The award-winning stand-up comedian will also be joined on stage by soprano Kristy Swift for the light-hearted journey back to 19th century Vienna.

Swift will perform a selection of songs from the era of romance including Arditi’s Il Bacio, The Kiss and Lehár’s Vilja from The Merry Widow.

The Johann Strauss Gala will take over the Pavilion for one night only at 7pm on January 28.

Tickets range from £18 to £30 and can be purchased through the website: www.bic.co.uk