“IT was a series of accidents that really took care of themselves,” says Kevin Farrell, when asked how Worbey & Farrell came about. “In many ways we started off fraudulently. We don’t question it.”

Steven Worbey and Kevin Farrell met while studying at the Royal College of Music. The classical pianists pursued separate careers – Steven as a musician and voiceover actor and Kevin as a film composer. Their artistic paths collided 12 years ago when they were inadvertently locked in a flat with only a grand piano (and well-stocked bar) to stave off boredom. That afternoon they decided to form a “four hands, one piano” act.

“We just got drunk and came up with a new career,” he sums up. “Everything kind of fell into place. We put a 45-minute programme together and I got the film company I was working for to film the show, but we couldn’t find a venue. A friend of ours said ‘Why don’t you do it where I work?’ and that was the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

“The DVD was made of us playing live and, of course, an American booker got hold of it, thought we were already famous and we got a year’s worth of work out of it.”

The pianists created a stand-up meets concerto hybrid, with an eclectic repertoire of classical arrangements, pop anthems, and even the odd rap number interspersed with gags and full-blown comedy. They have also been known to mix cocktails while tickling the keys.

“We’re at home playing Lady Gaga as well as the 1812 Overture: good music is good music. We’re very serious about the music. Some of the arrangements take a year to do. But it’s done in a fun way and we don’t take ourselves seriously,” says Kevin.

Worbey and Farrell are at the Arts Centre on January 22 at 7.30pm. To book call 01793 524481 or visit swindontheatres.co.uk