Show Rating:

Many comics subtly try to disguise a set list on the back
of their hand, or on a carefully concealed scrap of paper. Charlie
Pickering puts his topics on 8ft pendants, beautifully but simply
illustrated, as the stage backdrop.

It's just one of many theatrical devices that elevate this
show from what might otherwise be fairly pedestrian stand-up
into a rich, warm and enjoyable experience.

The premise is that Pickering wants to write his autobiography.
After all, if Geri Halliwell's written two ­ twice as many
as Ghandi ­ surely it can't be that hard. But sitting at
his laptop, he's paralysed by writer's block before he has even
started ­ although a series of events from one year of his
childhood, 1990, do come flooding back.

It was the year his dog Houda died, the year he smoked his
first cigarette and discovered his first pornographic magazine
at school camp ­ and the year he got his first public laugh,
during speech day. All minor incidents, perhaps, but retold impeccably.
And these episodes are punctuated with readings from BB King's
bizarre autobiography a familiar device to anyone who's ever
been to Robin Ince's Book Club

Pickering's strengths are his character work - the homophobic
old-fashioned headmaster depicted as a raven who can see into
the future is an especially abiding image ­ and his attention
to detail in storytelling. He skilfully transports the reader
back to those formative experiences, which will resonate with
anyone who was ever 11 years old.

It's a mature, restrained delivery that makes for an irresistibly
endearing portrait, executed with stylish creative flair. But
while Auto is charming and well-observed, there are not all
that many laughs, meaning it falls awkwardly between two stools
­ neither dramatic or emotive enough for proper theatre,
nor funny enough to be considered strictly comedy.

Pickering, who picked up a Perrier best newcomer nomination
last year for a fairly straightforward stand-up show, has been
ambitious to move into this new territory ­ and it's paid
off. Not a jackpot, but enough, hopefully, to encourage him to
keep exploring new ideas. He's a bright chap, this Pickering
fellow, and it shows.

Steve Bennett