Certainly a good idea in principle, there was something grossly endearing about listening to comics recount their less successful gigs. For the most part, this show was enjoyable, if not slightly pedestrian. Steve Bugeja told his stories with refreshing humility, whilst Shane Mauss’ anecdotes were rather insane, involving a horror-story tour across Texas. The reality that the majority of the comedians faced was that it was their lack of talent, as opposed to circumstantial factors, that had led to disastrous performances in the past. As a result, whilst told in humorous fashion, a lot of these ‘horror stories’ weren’t that horrific at all. Nonetheless, the format was clever and the guests change everyday, so expect something new. And fortunately, there was no heckling.

The Dram House Upstairs, until 24 Aug (not 12, 19), 3.15pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Robert McGowan Stuart]