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Stephen Merchant's debut tour comes 14 years after his first-ever gig. In fairness, though, the writing partner of Ricky Gervais has been somewhat sidetracked by award-garlanded sitcoms The Office and Extras.
It was well worth the wait, though. As soon as he walked on stage last night to a mighty roar, he explained the reason for his solo jaunt. "Any money I make I don't have to share with you-know-who." Cue massive laugh, the first of many.
Merchant's other reason for his Hello Ladies show is finding a wife. He is a lanky master of self-mockery, feigning bemusement that he cannot get a steady girlfriend. Surely his Blue Peter badge, pedantry and computer-expert chic make him a babe magnet?
Naturally he garnered endless mileage out of being 6ft 7in, bending his legs at zany angles and essaying some magnificently gawky dancing.
Behind the oddball charm the material was always amusing, even when not entirely distinctive. An extended confession about noisy childhood VHS recorders recalled an antique Peter Kay riff, and when Merchant screamed "that's mental" Gervais himself could have been briefly present.
Elsewhere, he was stunning. One video-screen gag blended modern technology and old- school face-pulling to deliver simply the funniest use of close-up camera I have ever seen.
If Gervais is intriguingly too near to David Brent for comfort, there was occasionally a similarly thin line between Merchant's stage persona and Brent's sidekick Gareth, particularly during a hilarious closing educational playlet that allowed Merchant to indulge in some gratuitous political incorrectness. An immensely impressive gig that was funnier and consistently less smug than his chum's last show. Ricky Gervais will have to work hard to better this. That is truly a tall order.
Hammersmith Apollo, November 28 to December 3 (0844 8444 748,
livenation.co.uk).
Stephen Merchant
Reading Hexagon
