Comedy review: Hal Cruttenden: Climb Every Molehill

Published on Tuesday 12 August 2008 21:42

HAL CRUTTENDEN: CLIMB EVERY MOLEHILL **** ASSEMBLY @ GEORGE STREET (VENUE 3)

HAL Cruttenden is worried. He's worried about being overweight, he's worried about the bills, he's worried about his large face…

He's even worried about sounding effeminate. He's not effeminate, though – just southern English.

One thing he needn't worry about is being funny. He has that down pat, with a well-structured, nicely scripted show that he puts across well.

Cruttenden's also very funny when he goes off script, whether bouncing off the audience or bouncing his trainers off a poor, innocent fly.

Still, the insect murder did meet his desire to be edgier, more dangerous. I say he should stay as sweet as he is, as his stories made for a terribly entertaining hour.

For whether talking about his Northern Irish wife's upbringing during the Troubles, his rubbish ability to comfort little girls beset by bad dreams, or great-grandad's war record, he's funny and likeable. He has the actor's ability to let a story build and, when he peaks, his animation is a joy.

If Cruttenden has a weakness, it's that he doesn't believe how good he is – the occasional micro-expression tells the tale, as he frets that a line didn't get a huge laugh. But he needn't worry so much… from where I was sitting he was going down pretty well. So, Hal, use those worries for the run, then come down off that sodding molehill. Relax, you've earned it.

• Until 25 August. Today 7:35pm