Joe Lycett @ The Stand, Edinburgh, 18 October

It's uncertain how far these pirates developed outside of his imagination, but with the most fleeting mention in this show he manages to bring the idea to life. His stand-up is marked by this ability to create a vivid character, sometimes on just a nice turn of phrase, and a weightless naturalism in his delivery ensures his material never feels forced or tired.

On this tour – and, indeed, upon his recent return to the Fringe – Lycett wants to talk about the wisdom of his hometown Birmingham. His stories and anecdotes are populated with the kind of friends and fools we all meet in our everyday life. Most notably there's Claire, who he introduces as the kind of friend you have to apologise for. Lycett homes in here, making everyone feel they know someone like Claire, yet he also describes her with enough individuality to leave us with a distinct impression of their particular friendship.

It's Claire's unconventional methods of dealing with problem people which is threaded throughout much of the show. There's a 'what would Claire do?' spirit informing some of Lycett's pranks and his mild trolling of celebrities, corporations and local government bureaucrats. It is these elements of the show that perhaps make it more reminiscent of The Timewaster Letters by Robin Cooper than it is a portrait of Birmingham. For some, Lycett perhaps doesn't quite probe as deeply into some of these sections – which hold a surprising amount of satirical bite – as he could do. But then, this never feels a disjointed hour and Lycett covers much ground while making it feel like a casual stroll.

Joe Lycett: That's The Way A-Ha, A-Ha, Joe Lycett plays Glasgow Stand, Woodlands Rd, 19 Oct, 8:30pm, £12