Voiced by Beano cartoonist and comedian Kev Sutherland, the duo have appeared on the BBC's Comedy Shuffle as well as being favourites on online video-sharing site YouTube.

The fast-paced live show, which is full of routines and songs about such topics as Facebook and the smoking ban in pubs, has also been a huge hit at the Edinburgh Festival, where it will play again later this year.

The show's creator and performer, Kev Sutherland, said: "They are a comedy double act, nobody sees me. They have been compared to Morecambe and Wise."

Slipping into character, Mr Sutherland (as the left sock) explained what the show has to offer potential audiences: "We perform Romeo and Juliet, but it's much shoutier because half of the double act thinks it's a comedy, while the other thinks it's a drama."

The secret of their success it seems is down to their sheer novelty.

The left sock said: "We have the market for falsetto, slightly sweary sock comedy all to ourselves."

"We used to just perform to adults, but we've tailored our show so it's suitable for children over 12."

The right sock added: "We're excited we'll be entertaining the Sanddancers, especially if they do that side to side Egyptian dancing."

The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre will play on Saturday at 7.30pm.

* Tickets cost £7, £5 concessions and are available by calling the box office on 454 1234.

The Gazette has a pair of tickets to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this: At what festival were the socks a big hit?

Send your name and telephone number on a postcard to Johnny Wilson, Shields Gazette, Chapter Row, South Shields, NE33 1BL, or e-mail your answer to us via this link by noon on Thursday, May 21.
mailto:johnny.wilson@northeast-press.co.uk