Danny Buckler: The Phantom

Danny Buckler looks like a bit of an everybloke, even though he wears a scarf and a velvet suit. If you wander into the show without having read the programme, you might expect some laddish gags about birds and Jaegerbombs. You will be very pleasantly surprised.

Despite coming from a rough family and growing up in Woking, Buckler has always been a sensitive soul. The first half of the show describes the pains of being an aspiring actor and hopeless romantic in a town where domestic violence happens on the streets. Life continually conspires against him, forever trying to knock the romance out of his heart, and even Jim fails to Fix It for him to escape the dreariness of working class suburbia. The only things that keep him believing are his two icons: Doctor Who and The Phantom Of The Opera.

The autobiographical story culminates in a tale of unrequited love that's actually deeply touching. Buckler, who has the courage to admit that he often plays cruise ships, really has it all: he's funny as hell, and has a good connection with the audience, a decent singing voice and a great knack for storytelling.

A really loveable show from a really loveable guy.