Review by Steve Bennett

Ricky Grover starts his show skipping and shadow-boxing to a thunderous Rocky-style soundtrack - but he's no heavyweight champ when it comes to comedy.

He invites the audience to indulge him in his list of pet hates - old people, bouncers, vegetarians and the like - then does and short mime of Pavarotti, garnering rapturous applause, though it's unclear exactly what talents were being acclaimed. I can only imagine that die-hard fans feel obliged to remain loyal.

In the next section of the show, Grover performs as Bulla, his faithful East End hardman character, intimidating the audience in his well-trodden fashion.

The difference between Grover as Bulla and Grover the stand-up comedian appears negligible - save for the stocking over his head.

Because the villainous character is so one-dimensional and stereotypical, he is difficult to empathise with ­ and he's looking quite dated these days.

Grover's third ploy to ingratiate the audience is a supposedly true, sincere and gentle account of his background and methodology - though again there's very little difference between this and the previous ramblings.

This disjointed and stilted performance felt tired, an outdated character comic resting on his laurels sprang to mind.

That the finale, was about underpants, and culminated in skid marks, spoke volumes.

Review date: 1 Jan 2002
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett