Phill Jupitus: Juplicity (SCF)

Phill Jupitus is probably best known as a long-term team captain on the UK music quiz show Never Mind The Buzzcocks, as well as being a guest on just about every other comedy panel show that you can think of. It's a common career path for comedians, but making that mainstream leap from stand-up to screen can come at a price, as comics sanitise their shtick to appease censors and boil down their comedy to one-line zingers. Given that Jupitus is far better known as a TV personality than a live performer, it might explain why he shows such a clear emphasis on personal, indulgent storytelling in his latest show.

Dressed in what he described as hipster Vietnam veteran, Jupitus opened with a song accompanied by acoustic guitar, as he played a gentle ode to Coldplay and all their 'worried songs'. It served as an effective icebreaker and a diversion he should follow more, in this scribe's humble opinion. From there Jupitus' show was loosely themed around parenthood, in his case likening the challenge of bringing up two girls as something akin to doing a Rubik's cube while wearing boxing gloves and a blindfold.

While that would easily have led into some very relatable material for many comedians, Jupitus revels in pushing his stand-up that step further as he mused about his experiences as a father of a gay child. From there he takes a nostalgic wander up memory lane, beginning with a tale of his accidental discovery of pornography, aged just five. Other smirking anecdotes include his first, very over-enthusiastic attempt at oral sex and his complete misunderstanding of reproduction as a kid. It's highly effective comedy, but with laughs concentrated around uncomfortableness rather than a sharper wit, Juplicity's tone felt a little jagged at times.

But there is, nonetheless, a lot of heart in this comedy. Touchingly, Jupitus dedicated his performance to his agent who passed away two years ago. Closing with a poem, he offered one more glimpse of a creative versatility that could have been put to use more liberally throughout this show.