Show Rating:

Amiable stand-up Chris Addison cannot be accused of having a shortage of material.

He visibly struggles to contain a wealth of ideas on the admittedly universal subject of Englishness within the confines of a one-hour show.

A blackboard full of adjectives to summarise the national identity looks suspiciously like an aide memoire to jolt him back onto track when his train of thought goes on an lengthy diversion.

It's not that he waffles. This is a routine jam-packed with great gags and sharp comment.

Addison has mastered the trick of making it all look incredibly easy. The stream of observations and opinions is effortlessly engaging, and you easily could listen to him expound his theories all day ­ which may be exactly how long it would take to get through all his first-rate material.

Don't be fooled if you only know this gifted comic from the embarrassing dotcomedy TV series, this is a genuine comedy talent at work.