Soho Theatre Live (2017)

Tonight's comedian in this series of six coming from the Soho Theatre is Canadian Mae Martin, who delivers more of an engaging monologue than a free-ranging series of cracks. Recently split from her girlfriend, she discusses perceptions of her sexuality ("Your hair lied to us!"), her parents Wendy and James, her mother's attempt to explain the facts of life, and her father's penis, which was subject to a biting incident.

The host of BBC2's The Mash Report takes his turn in the standup showcase. Confidence and likability power him through a series of anecdotes that expend a lot of energy setting up often gentle punchlines. Among the best stories are Kumar's trip to see Shame at the cinema accompanied by his father, his response to a racist press question, and his attempt to rebrand as a cooler version of himself at uni.