Serial non-conformist Simon Munnery has had a colourful 20-year career, notching up distinctive characters and anarchic gigs. In many respects this nostalgic retrospective perfectly summed up his enduring style - sublime wit hampered by haphazard execution.
At his best Munnery has a forensic love of language. Even an innocuous "Good evening" grabs his attention: "It could be a wish or an observation". He began on sizzling form, imagining Sainsbury's shoppers mocking Tesco fans and revealing that he plays the harmonica to avoid smoking, "which makes you even less welcome in restaurants".
But gradually things unravelled. An appeal for audience suggestions was half-hearted, his revived ranting punk Alan Parker was a parody of a parody, while his Security Guard slowed the momentum with his dead-eyed absurdism: "Three security guards go into a pub. Nothing happens. That's what we get paid for".
By the time he closed with his lecherous lecturer Dr Maurice Chutney - Ronnie Barker via Spike Milligan - he had not outstayed his welcome, there was simply too much to take in. This 80-minute set revealed Munnery's formidable talent, but also his lack of editing skills.
Until 19 July (0870 429 6883).
Simon Munnery's EGM
Soho Theatre
Dean Street, W1D 3NE
