If there’s a such genre as nerd comedy, and you’re into it, then this Irish puzzle-loving geek is your man. He starts the show dictating a random list of phobias whilst seamlessly solving a rubix cube from scratch. Describing himself as ”perpetually single”, Matthew Collins has a distinctly self-deprecating style; his is clearly the biggest brain in the room, but he is never arrogant or over-the-top and humbles the small audience with his friendly tone.  There is a focus on fantastically awkward material, with topics ranging from a kangaroo’s penis to a Liam Neeson talking lion, and it all works, save for occasional overspills of information that leave the confused crowd lagging a touch behind. But all in all, an afternoon thoroughly well spent.

Laughing Horse @ The Phoenix, until 25 Aug, 1.15pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Shiv Das]