I love a comedian who treats their audience with utter contempt, partly because it feels like something that is only really possible in this artform. Of course, the comedian needs to subtly communicate that the contempt is part of the joke, but Huge Davies amply achieves that. I think. I don’t know, maybe I really was a member of the worst audience he’s ever performed to. Many will already know the format here: sullen man with keyboard ridiculously strapped to his body, singing silly songs and berating his audience. This time the songs are supposedly dedicated to or written by Davies’s relatives, so if you fail to join in with the clapping and sing-along, well, that means you’re disrespecting his family. The songs are great, the format really works and the technical hiccups – mainly scripted I assume, but it’s really hard to know – add to the charm. And if it’s not for you, well, that’s clearly your fault.

Pleasance Courtyard, until 25 Aug.
tw rating 4/5 | [Chris Cooke]