Josie Long's latest show, 'Trying Is Good', cements her image as a quietly defiant comedienne in an industry which is often overwhelmed with ranting one-man-and-his-mic performances. Like Stewart Lee (whom she supported on his Spring 2005 tour), her delivery is slowly disarming, pleasing a faithful fan base who crave nervous giggles over boozy laughs.

It's hard not to like her: she's endearingly kooky, gauche and heartfelt in her approach, celebrating nerdish endeavour and making a virtue of eccentricity. As the title of her show suggests, she argues that effort should be championed however it's expressed, whether it's in baking the best wheat free bread there is or preparing for fancy dress. It's likely you'll leave her show feeling quite pleased with yourself just by sitting there and listening to her.

But Long's unremittingly optimistic outlook might also leave you with the ambiguous feeling of being shortchanged. Despite claiming to believe in turning one's weaknesses into strengths, she never challenges her audience into doing that, choosing instead to gently stroke their confidence. Also, she's at her best when she has more bite, undermining more-culturally-sensitive-than-thou travellers and overly studied indie types.

'Trying Is Good' should be applauded for its upbeat originality and earnestness: Long clearly relishes the chance to share small but affecting experiences. Ultimately, though, you'll exit with a self-satisfied grin, not an aching belly (even if you do decide to scrawl 'marvellous' over it).

Josie Long: Trying is Good @ London Arts Depot, London, 31 January 2008

By Julien Hunt

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