Eric Rushton @ Monkey Barrel at Hive

Eric Rushton invites us to place ourselves in his hands for an hour, and it feels like a comfortable spot to while away an afternoon. He is keen to note that he won't solve all of our problems, though he might distract us for a while. In fact, this is not so much a distraction as an inception – a dream within a dream, where Eric and his "date," Hollywood heartthrob Margot Robbie, share increasingly elaborate scenarios which leave the audience unsure whether we are laughing with or at Rushton.

School days form a central plank of Rushton's set, both as a student and an ill-fated stint as a staff member, where the comedy on display never strays into slapstick or farce. The lines are delivered with a laser focus which indicate that Rushton's frequent asides about depression and autism are no mere plot devices. His seeming bewilderment with aspects of day to day life, in particular what is and isn't funny, reveal a comedic brain which knows exactly which buttons to press and when. It's timed to a nano-second, without ever feeling too slick, even when Rushton moves to a short sequence using slides on screen.

With such intricate pyramids of absurd details attaining greater and greater heights, it's not surprising that every now and then one falls flat. But this does little to detract from the sheer joy on display from a self-deprecating comic who you suspect is secretly proud of just how funny he is. Early on, Rushton notes solemnly that he can only afford one refund, inviting the audience to choose wisely if they wish to make a quick exit. No-one is surprised when the fee goes unclaimed at the end of this eccentric and sharply funny show.

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Eric Rushton: Real One, Monkey Barrel at The Hive (Hive 2), until 25 Aug, 3.20pm, £7-11