Putting in a competent performance, McCaffrey’s technical ability doesn’t save this from being a largely laughter-free hour. Picking an inane subject, the comedian tries to insert humour into the fairly ordinary, suggesting that he’s barely taller than a midget because he’s 5’6″,  hardly a miniscule height; how he must hate his average height and average looks: it’s clearly holding him back from the comedic greatness he so desires. His stories aren’t compelling and the structure of his set isn’t tight enough, and though he lays jokes of a similar theme next to each other, this only reveals the seams of transition. At times, he managed to raise a smirk. Perhaps with less self-focused material, he could hit on something funnier.

Underbelly, 4 – 28 Aug (not 15), 6.20pm (7.20pm), £8.00 – £10.00, fpp131.
tw rating 2/5
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