Last night comedy website Chortle announced that Kevin Eldon's Edinburgh Fringe debut was 2010's Best Show. Six months after its Scottish premiere it has come south and remains one of the finest sets I've ever seen. This familiar face has been part of the funny furniture for years, working with everyone from Simon Pegg and Chris Morris to Miranda Hart and Charlie Brooker and his breakout performance deserves every accolade.
This is not just inspired comedy, it is inspired by comedy. After doing his own warm-up in the guise of achingly earnest poet Paul Hamilton, Eldon hurtles through every modern stand-up trope in an hour, from observational humour (with a wicked dig at Michael McIntyre) to surrealism, impressions and character comedy via quickfire music, mock dramatics and whirlwind magician-skewering.
The highlights are too numerous to mention. This is simply a seamless display of comedic versatility, pulling off the difficult trick of celebrating precisely what it mocks. At 50, Eldon is no novice, yet fronting rather than supporting he is a revelation. If television cannot find a starring vehicle for him, it is stupid as well as ageist.
Until February 19. Information: 020 7478 0100, sohotheatre.com
Soho Theatre
21 Dean Street
London
W1D 3NE
