As celebrity endorsements go, it’s really not a bad one. George Dillon’s solo show was described as “brutal, compassionate, brilliant. Examines the actor’s soul with a precision that is acutely painful and appallingly funny!” by no less than Richard E Grant.

George, an accomplished actor, given a perfect accolade by his mentor, the theatrical legend Steven Berkoff, performs a stunning one-man show at The Mill Theatre, Banbury next month.

George Dillon’s solo staging of Graft – Tales of an Actor, Berkoff’s collection of short stories, is described as a unique masterclass. Berkoff himself said of this hugely talented thespian: “The best example of how to perform is George Dillon”.

Graft – a must for students and all theatre-goers – goes on stage at The Mill on Wednesday, March 13, and there will be a post-show discussion with the actor.

In the production, Dillon takes Berkoff’s 11 short stories and performs them as a series of scenes from an actor’s life. “The eye Berkoff casts on an actor’s life is very astute. He shows not the glamorous view but the reality of being unemployed most of the time, being turned down at auditions, the low self-esteem and the desperation to find something to fulfil one’s ambitions,” said Dillon.

“But it is also about finding, just once, that Big One, the dream role that makes it all worthwhile, where the body, spirit and heart are completely absorbed.”

Graft takes the audience from the first audition for drama school to the final curtain call at Leicester Square, exposing the reality and questioning the sacrifice.

Dillon says that over his 146 performances of Graft – one of three one-man shows in his repertoire – he has seen people who ‘do not like theatre’ blown away. “It is a very rewarding style of performance. All kinds of people are mesmerised. Older theatre-goers also get a lot out of it; they tend to understand the second half better than others with the reflection on life being one of the most powerful aspects. They understand the sacrifices made through their lives to try to realise a dream they may not have realised.”

George Dillon first acted in a student production of Berkoff’s East nearly thirty years ago and has since worked with the writer, actor and director on five productions and has produced and starred in another eight with his own company, Vital Theatre, including three world premieres. Graft won Dillon a Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2000 and a nomination for The Stage’s Best Actor award. The show has since been seen in more than ten countries.

Meanwhile, Talon have a huge following in Banbury, having originally made its reputation as the UK’s premier Eagles tribute band.

But over the years the group have added to their astonishing repertoire and tour with an expanded range of music.

Tomorrow (Friday), they return to one of their favourite stages at The Mill, Banbury with their popular show, Talon The Acoustic Collection: Up Close and Personal.

This entertaining concert features music from the catalogues of Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, Crosby Stills and Nash, John Denver, Michael Jackson and many more. The acoustic band is headed by the charismatic frontman, the ‘Silver Fox’ Chris Lloyd. Talon promise to delight the audience with their brilliant harmonies and incredible musical ability, with several doubling up on instruments.

Talon: The Acoustic Collection: Up Close and Personal, Friday 8pm, £16. Call 01295 279002.