Review by Steve Bennett

But, to his immense credit, Nick Doody is taking on the Muslims. Or at least those Muslims who think that calling a teddy-bear Mohammed is an affront to Allah and worthy of a death sentence.

He’s careful to ensure he’s not misunderstood as some sort racist or xenophobe, but there’s little chance of that if you actually listen to his fiercely-held opinions on religion. As an ex-Catholic he knows a thing or two about indoctrination, and can express his beliefs with wit and intelligent.

This is a large theme of the show, and one of the strongest routines; racism in Star Trek, the offensive names of death metal bands and the power of the mob chat being among the others.

There is impressively strong writing here, but it doesn’t quite hold together as a coherent show, with some weaker routines covering such topics as masturbation and why he doesn’t want to be a dad, that appear to have been added to bulk up the set. And the set-pieces, from the over-dramatic montage of death and misery that opens the show to the song at the end and his little bit of theatre, detract from the stand-up that’s his forte.

Doody seems to be trying a bit too hard with the delivery, too, selling it with a slightly-too forceful zeal than it needs. To be fair, though, that could well have been because the audience only numbered a dozen, so could be easily overwhelmed.

He deserves bigger crowds that this, for on form, he is a focussed, smart writer with a pacy delivery. Here, that skill is too diluted to make a fantastic show, but he remains a comic with an opinion – and jokes – that are always worth hearing.

Reviewed by: Steve Bennett

Review date: 1 Jan 2008
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett