What makes a person ‘eccentric?’ A lack of inhibitions? Non-conformist behaviour or dress sense? An obsessive interest in just one thing?

The group taking part in Funny Peculiar, a walking tour of Brighton, is asked to consider this question before setting off. It is the first of series of quiet, contemplative moments amidst the madcap escapade presented by Leslie and Lesley (aka Paschale Straiton and Ivan Fabrega – see what they did there?) A background in street theatre and community performance allows our hosts, in sunny orange and yellow outfits, to guide us with assurance and composure even as things go wonderfully, intentionally awry. Their illustrated leaflet, with portraits of the Brighton odd-bods, is a helpful reference en route.

A beautifully designed music and soundscape by Joss Peach, with voice-overs, guides us through Brighton’s gardens, back alleys, and seafront with tales of local eccentrics. Many will be familiar, some may be invented, a few might surprise, but each pocket biography is deftly written and occasionally brought to life. These are thrilling moments. There is audacity, wit and participation as we learn about Brighton’s notorious characters and also about ourselves. It is worth staying close to catch the quips. It won’t give too much away to quote ‘The Cameltoe Arms’ or Leslie’s ‘nice work with the probing finger’ – double entendre is rife. Passers-by become close personal friends: ‘oh look, there’s Godfrey with his two bottles of water. He has everything in pairs.’

There are facts amongst the fiction, improvisation amongst the set-pieces. I was reminded during the audio-guided sections of Janet Cardiff’s The Missing Voice which had a similarly elegant spoken commentary.

It is heartening to see how quickly strangers can become friends, how we are so willing to engage and take instruction. By the end of seventy minutes, Lesley and Leslie have made blissed-out eccentrics of us all.