For someone with such an established career in stand up, Ed Byrne spends a surprising amount of time looking at his shoes.
Even after more than 20 years performing there is a nervousness to his act that risks infection: you’re left wondering whether to commit to laughing, because he doesn’t always seem to commit to the gag.
The material is reasonable enough – encountering angry strangers when you have the temerity to take a child to a coffee shop, embarrassment at the doctors, dating faux pas – but equally the routines could have dripped out at any point in the last decade, from any number of comedians.
There is disappointingly little that stands out: nothing exceptionally clever, or emotional, or rude. Nothing that demands any greater response than a soft laugh and a wry smile.
And from his rejuvenated TV career and long experience we know Ed can do those things; that he was wit, and style, and daring.
Just not when he looks at his shoes.
