Daniel Cook @ Pleasance Courtyard
Storytelling, solidly crafted jokes and real charm from Daniel Cook
Daniel Cook arrives on stage with a charming abruptness that has the audience laughing before he embarks upon any material.
It's a surprise, then, that after this instantaneous laugh, tonight's show proceeds to get off to a little bit of a shaky start. Things pick up when it soon transpires that the ‘Carpet’ of the show's title is in fact the name of his pet cat and the subject of some of the hour's best highlights – including a remarkably accurate feline impression. As Cook moves into the second half of the show he becomes increasingly comfortable and confident in his material – and this better allows for the parts which require a little more of a performance to shine brightly. Cook’s strength comes as he moves around the room with an energy that's larger-than-life. When there's occasional times that jokes don’t land he assuredly dives into the next part of the set, often gaining back big laughs in the process.
His delivery, once he's in his stride, is spot-on and he wins the hearts of the audience who are gladly swept along by his charming storytelling.
Daniel Cook: Carpet, Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two), 1-26 Aug (not 14), 6:45pm, £6-10
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