A FAMILIAR Australian voice is set to bring more than a Little laughter to Venue Cymru this month.

Mark Little, best known for playing the laid back Joe Mangel in Neighbours during the soap’s golden age, is relishing the opportunity to bring his one-man Defending the Caveman show to Venue Cymru for two nights - with humour used to analyse the differences between men and women.

Given the show’s title, one could be forgiven for anticipating the show to be 90 minutes of prehistoric woman-bashing. But Mark insists this is certainly not the case, with females in the audience often enjoying the show more than anyone else and it being an ideal night out for any couple.

With hysterical observations into contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and the erogenous zones, Defending the Caveman has both sexes roaring with laughter and recognition as they identify themselves in the tales being told.

“It is politically correct, and is very satisfying to see people laughing,” said Mark, 50, who adds the caveman has swapped his spear for a remote control and is very much living in the 21st Century. “You realise there was a lot of logic in how cavemen saw the world, and they were a lot more respectful to women than you might think. We are living in the present day, talking about men being metrosexuals and various other things.

“There is a lot of humour involved that couples may not have picked up on before, but after my character brings it up they may quickly realise it. The show is basically two 45 minute halves of monologues from me but there will be some other entertainment as well and some nice music.”

Based in Britain for nearly 20 years, Mark has played the Caveman since 1999 and won The Olivier Award for Best Entertainment. The show remains as popular as ever today.

“I keep thinking I have finished Defending the Caveman but then it keeps getting brought back by popular demand,” added Mark, whose wife Kathy is involved in directing the show.

“North Wales is a beautiful part of the country. I look forward to the shows there and seeing Llandudno again, it is a lovely place.”

After realising his dream of playing rugby league for Australia was not going to come true, Mark found he was blessed with talents in the field of entertainment. In 1988 he assumed the role of Joe Mangel and more than 20 years on he remains synonymous with the Aussie soap.

He spent more than three years in Ramsay Street, with millions of Brits watching his every show. In 2005 he had a brief but less enjoyable return to the show, which he has now left in the past.

“Joey seems to have been my Frankenstein’s monster, everywhere I go people in Britain still know me for it,” adds former Big Breakfast presenter Mark. “It’s a role I’m very glad I played, but it was incredibly hard work as the filming took so long.

“I was never able to watch Neighbours when I was in it because of the amount of work that went into filming it. When I went back I thought it would be a good thing to do but I realised it was not as much fun anymore. I think that was the end of Joey Mangel as we know him and I don’t watch it today.”

Defending the Caveman is showing at Venue Cymru on Wednesday, March 17 and Thursday, March 18 at 8pm. For ticket details contact the Box Office on 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk