Stand-up-turned-author Jeff Green presents From A-Z, the show he will take to the Edinburgh Festival next month. Not for Jeff the low-key preview shows of other comics who thrash out their material's teething troubles in room-over-pub venues.
Oh, no. Jeff's booked himself a whole week at the Soho Theatre.
And for the first ten minutes of the opening night, his decision was in danger of looking arrogant - charging people £15 to see a show that initially seemed to be written as he went along. Fortunately, Green soon switched on his crowdpleasing 'perplexed everyman' persona, and amusement, if not hilarity, ensued.
Green's best known for his gentle humour and easy appeal rather than innovation, and a set chiefly comprising 'men-and-women-are-a-bit-different-aren't-they?' gags provided a few laughs if not many surprises.
Inevitably though, as a work-in-progress, there was as much chaff as wheat - it's unlikely, for example, that jokes such as 'you can tell you got mashed in Amsterdam because all your pictures are of the pavement' will make the final cut.
Green is an undeniably skilled performer, and his material shows occasional flashes of inspiration (a piece about honesty and women's magazines was a highlight) but, on the strength of the opening night, fans would be better off waiting for the perfected product than see this half-baked offering.
Until Sat, Soho Theatre And Writers Centre, 21 Dean Street W1, 9.30pm, £12 to £15, £10 to £12.50 concs. Tel: 020 7478 0100. www.sohotheatre.com Tube: Tottenham Court Road/Piccadilly Circus
