It’s easy to understand why some performers feel driven to try reshape the boundaries of comedy. Where is the satisfaction, they cry, in doing what everyone else has done?

If you were someone who’d just been to see Charlie Baker’s show, however, you might be tempted to tell them that the satisfaction is probably very great – but only if you can do it as well as Baker can.

Charlie Baker: The World’s Greatest Show-off is a well constructed thoroughly entertaining show that is packed with good material, and performed with uncommon gusto.

Indeed, a sense of enthusiasm pervades the whole of Baker's set. And, while I would never claim that it’s necessary for an act to be enthusiastic to be successful comedically, it is nonetheless delightful to encounter a performer who gives one the impression that he is sincerely enjoying what he’s doing.

From the moment he bounds into the room until he exits following a wonderful finale – and how refreshing to see a routine with a proper closing crescendo as opposed to more or less petering out once the allotted hour is up – a smile rarely leaves Baker’s face. If dourness and cynicism are part of this comedian’s repertoire, they were not on display here.

That finale is sung, and Baker uses his impressive pipes – he is an accomplished jazz singer – quite a few times in his routine, to considerable effect; the swing standards and show tunes he fondly lampoons are a natural complement to the rambunctious, bright-hued aesthetic of Baker’s act.

The hour is also nicely put-together, skilfully seizing the audience’s attention before gently easing off, and then gathering pace again towards the end. This is a fine example of the comedian’s craft, good jokes woven into a structurally cohesive whole.

If you require your comedy to be avant-garde, this isn’t for you. But, ultimately, this show didn’t just make me laugh: it made me feel happy. That sounds like a pretty good deal to me.

Alex Brenner

Charlie Baker, the World's Greatest Show-off is appearing at Just The Tonic @ The Caves until 30th August, 6.40pm

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