Review by Steve Bennett

When even Tory politicians like Peter Lilley are talking about legalising cannabis, isn't it about time comics realised it is time to move on from tired drug material?

Yet old hippy Russell determinedly insists on giving the lion's share of this show over to the subject.

And although a couple of ideas are great - such as his brilliantly inventive suggestion about how to smuggle such contraband - it's does nothing to allay the feeling we've heard it all before.

There are a couple of diversions into such equally spent comic goldmines - such as the difference between cats and dogs (OK, so you could probably guess that from the title) - but without drugs this would be a very short show indeed.

That he gets away with it as much as he does is down purely to his easy-going shambolic charm, and you admittedly can't help but like the guy.

Yet for all the engaging amiability, there's no getting away from the gaping chasm at the heart of this show where original material ought to be.

A diverting enough way to spend a mid-afternoon hour, but just too light on content to make an impact.

Review date: 1 Jan 2001
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett