Paul Ricketts: Ironic Infinity

Reviewers have to review the performance they see, which kind of sucks when someone is having an off night. Tonight, Ricketts doesn't seem to be quite on the top of his game. Although he's an experienced comedian, he fails to get the best out of some hecklers sitting up front, despite the fact that one of them has very helpfully come dressed as a banana.

It makes Ironic Infinity feel like a bit of a mish-mash. There are a few routines that feel a bit tired, including a bit about advertising that just doesn't work. Also, there are routines that are absolutely brilliant: a scathing attack on hip, young comedians; a full re-enactment of the Leveson Inquiry; and some really powerful work on class and race in Britain.

It doesn't flow particularly well tonight and at times it's like watching a mixed bill show, starring the slick and intelligent Paul Ricketts plus his slightly clunky identical twin. Frustrating, because the guy oozes class and has written Stewart Lee's favourite chicken joke (the show closes with the story of how Ricketts and Lee became friends and then fell out over that particular joke). A show that's almost certainly been better on other nights. But you have to review the performance you see.