Review by Steve Bennett

Despite his token efforts, there’s no great theme or message or structure to Caimh McDonnell’s new show. Nominally it’s about him moving from Manchester to London, hence the title, but in reality it’s just an hour of stories from the past year or so.

I say ‘just’ – but most punters probably could not care one jot about any grand design, as long as there’s another reason for them to be listening. And anecdotes that are dependably funny, as this prematurely white-haired Irishman consistently delivers, certainly provide that.

He starts in compere mode, relaxing the audience, before sharing a couple of tales depicting him as immature and fancy-free as you would imagine any comedian to be, amused more than anything else by cock-and-ball graffiti or inappropriate pooping.

There’s tell, too, of the time he encountered a mugger, or went for a prostate examination, or saw Micky Mouse acting inappropriately at Disneyland Paris. This is all bread-and-butter raw material for comedians, yet they don’t seem tired in McDonnell’s hands, thanks largely to his energetic, ebullient manner. He also always injects a revealing chunk of his own personality into every anecdote, mildly self-deprecating, and always endearing.

Even his masterful closing routine, which contains sex toys and a scatological element and could be gross, is made rather touching. Elsewhere there’s a great line about the sky-high car insurance premiums stand-ups pay, while the story of a zoo visit with his niece and nephew, who he may soon foster, is a masterclass in efficient structure.

In many ways he’s similar to his compatriot Ed Byrne, both being unabashedly mainstream comedians with a consummate skill. Both might sometimes slip into cliche, but also flash a glint of edge for their most effective routines. McDonnell’s mis-steps include a defence of gay marriages because weddings are already ‘the gayest thing ever’, a well-meaning but stereotype-based gag cracked countless times over the Sochi Olympics.

But Southbound And Down an hour of good-natured, frequently funny, stand-up that would, in a fair world, help him win a lot more recognition as a comic with wide appeal.

Review date: 17 Feb 2014
Reviewed by: Steve Bennett
Reviewed at: Leicester Kayal