Romesh Ranganathan: Rom Wasn't Built in a Day @ Pleasance Courtyard

Ranganathan isn't a good husband, or father, or son. In fact, he’s a bit of a failure even in his own eyes – his words not mine – so here he is to explain what’s gone wrong and how he plans to put it right. Giving himself a six out of ten, he encourages others to mark themselves before checking with partners for a more accurate assessment. It’s a great insight into the male psyche, and a perfect lead into the rest of the show.

There’s no shortage of race-related comedy on offer this year, but Ranganathan does offer a fresh and original take on many of the usual themes. Coming from a mixed-race marriage, he definitely has the insight, but also demonstrates that he has the ability to deliver this to a crowded room. A highlight of the set is the accidental apartheid-resembling dinner party his mother throws for the family, one of a number of cover-your-ears moments that come frequently, another being his less-than-patient efforts to teach his son to read.

Sri Lankan by birth and in your face by nature, Ranganathan doesn't disappoint as the rap-loving comedian for whom life, and family, seem to have got in the way. Congratulations all round as his wife had given birth in the early hours, so with only an hour of sleep, this was an energetic performance that ended all too quickly.