Sam Russell: Lucky Bastard

Just the Tonic at The Caves (Venue 88)

☆☆☆

Sam Russell is a lucky guy. He is very firm about that, although, despite having found “the one”, his training time as a Christmas Elf in a well known store, a hideous experience with a dead pet in childhood and – very movingly – his account of his best friend’s death at 28, might lead us to think otherwise.

This is a very genuine hour full of emotions. It is his debut show and Russell is only a whisker off the oomph that it takes to power through a full hour. He certainly has the comedy writing skills to fill it, and he takes us from sad through silly to full-on funny and back to sad with real skill. Minus the so-so beginning, this is a truly engaging hour. And the promised Elmo impression is spot on.

KATE COPSTICK

Until 26 August. Today 4:55pm.