James Dowdeswell: Urban Wurzel

As a result of his late time slot, James Dowdeswell has grown accustomed to performing before audiences of drunks. Though the room is less than a quarter full tonight, he's delighted to have drawn a sober crowd and personally acknowledges everyone in attendance, asking where we're from and establishing an easygoing rapport between us. Though he doesn't exactly storm the gig, he basks comfortably in the supportive atmosphere and delivers his share of high quality gags and observations, occasionally falling foul of laziness and anticlimax.

Urban Wurzel is a loose consideration of the London resident's West Country roots. Throughout the hour, he speaks of his father's pub and the locals found within it, even going so far as to deliver a flat monologue in the character of Les, a former lifeguard turned barfly. His ambition is to be applauded, but it becomes apparent that Dowdeswell is at his weakest whenever he deviates from straight standup in this way, the quality of the material failing to justify the shifts in tone and pace that it requires.

The show's best moments arrive as the performer gets stuck into a series of engaging anecdotes. If one is honest, most of these lack quality pay offs but they are, however, delivered with such intelligent and laid-back charm that we're happy to turn a blind eye toward his lack of consistency.

http://www.jamesdowdeswell.co.uk