IN the German language, their name is used to describe confusion, bewilderment or even a hangover.

But anyone seeing Katzenjammer perform at Alnwick Playhouse next Wednesday is more likely to be left astonished at their sheer musical talent.

The pair of piano-playing pioneers have left audiences around the world dazzled by their virtuoso skills, namely using both pairs of hands on a single instrument.

But alongside their arrangements of works by such classical giants as Liszt and Tchaikovsky, also expect unique renditions of themes including Tom & Jerry and The Simpsons, as well as your favourite classics married to the top 10 pub tunes.

Comprised of Royal College of Music graduates Kevin Farrell and Steven Worbey, they've just finished a tour which took in Australia as well as a stint on the QE2 ocean liner.

"We have a pretty crazy schedule," says Kevin, who has worked on the Emmy award winning show Concerto with Dudley Moore, toured with the English National Ballet and written music for over 80 documentaries and four feature films.

"We're constantly on tour. We've played 88 different countries so far. It's amazing to travel to so many different places and perform in front of such varied audiences.

"Last year we played at Pitlochry in Scotland, followed by Papua New Guinea, and then Berwick-Upon-Tweed.

"We have to pinch ourselves every day to remind us that it's really happening."

In keeping with their name, the Katzenjammer phenomenon began back in 2003 over a few bottles of wine and a piano.

"Steven and I were students together, and it just developed from there," says Kevin. "What started as a slightly drunken escapade began to take on a life of its own, and here we are today.

"We play the piano in quite a different way, each hand doing different things, and we often have to contort ourselves to achieve an orchestral kind of sound.

"When we started, we soon realised that audiences could only see one side of the piano, so we've since added a camera and a big screen to show what our hands are doing.

"It's now more of a multi-media experience."

But behind the spectacular piano gymnastics and the comedy comes months of hard practice.

"It took us eight months to arrange one piece of Hungarian music for four hands on a single piano, and it still has me sweating when I play it now," Kevin says.

Prestigious UK venues have included as the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the King's Theatre, Edinburgh.

But Kevin adds: "What we don't do are classical recitals. You don't even have to like classical music to enjoy the show. We just want to make the music accessible to everyone.

"We take the snob-factor out and remove the pomposity. Overall, it's about fun.

"It's a party with a piano."