Hi Raggytash. I know what you mean but you don't half rabbit on about it. Personally I think the gentleman in question is a unique,brilliant, totally off-the-wall entertainer who is highly intelligent and has unquestionable expertise in an astonishing array of instruments. Unfortunately, the Bodhran is not one of them (Or perhaps his extrovert and very individual style means that he actually refuses to play it in the traditional and accepted manner!) It was much funnier during Whitby Folk Week in a session in the FILO when a chap turned up who had just bought his first bodhran from the Pavillion (it was massive!)and started to watch and then copy the bodhran style of playing by the "gentleman in question".It was horrendous! comically horrendous! Good job you weren't there then or you would have gone ballistic!
It is unsettling when someone accompanies you who is completely out of rhythm ( we must all know loads of bloody awful bodhran players!)
but in this case I think his unique entertainment value easily outweighs the unusual bodhran playing. It works with his own material but very obviously not when joining in with others. So actually, yes you're right, perhaps someone should have a word with him - very politely and very respectfully please.