Show Rating:

Kay began his show by convincing the audience he wasn't actually starting his set, but just having a 'chat and a laugh' - an opening gambit which ingratiated him to the sell-out crowd.

And the following 20 minutes of anecdotes and well-observed takes on the idiosyncrasies of everyday folk were warmly welcomed.

But what followed was a series of fractured and unfunny ramblings that can only be described as mind-numbing, and frankly unbefitting of an undoubtedly talented and quick-witted stand up.

Kay, renowned for his effervescent energy and fluid use of stage and audience, sat rigid throughout, and the atmosphere became static almost to the point of annoyance.

This seasoned comic has recently mastered an intelligent and exceptionally funny hour-long set, so it is baffling why this show was half an hour longer - and more worryingly that no new material was even attempted to fill that time. Kay continued on even when it was completely obvious that the horse had been well and truly flogged to death.

Very disappointing, it has to be said.