Jordan Brookes @ Pleasance Dome

Many of the tropes of Jordan Brookes' new show are recognisable from his previous work: vulnerability and sincerity and their opposites, as well as the sly play with stand-up as both entertainment and a cry for help. This time, however, the focus is masculinity. Brookes finds an unexpected framework for his observations in the story of the Titanic – and the brave lads who lost their lives. It might be a well-worn narrative, but there are all kinds of surprises in store.

Brookes is a comedian of considerable presence, lightly laced with danger. The oscillations between opposing stances – charm and menace, yearning and aggression – is pretty thrilling here, with changes in direction that leave the audience perpetually off-balance. The comic turns on a dime, or a sixpence, which is more in keeping with the 'ye olde' vibes introduced by the Titanic interludes (interludes which, incidentally, are frequently musical).

Brookes's physical comedy is stronger than ever: that smile stretching just a little too tightly, the perfectly calibrated grimace. The extravagant lounging as he stretches out to enquire about an audience member's satisfaction levels. The long, loopy stride as he spirals down to the tiny, tiny stool that randomly occupies the middle of the stage.

Is the Titanic any more than a blatantly, deliberately thin metaphor for the struggle to be a man? Is there a real point being made about affording the victims of historical tragedy the respect they deserve? Is Brookes genuinely satirising the exploitation and monetisation of historical tragedy (James Cameron, Celine Dion, etc etc)? It's not clear, but whatever Jordan Brookes is doing with Fontanelle, it's the work of a singular talent.

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Jordan Brookes: Fontanelle, Pleasance Dome (Queen Dome), until 25 Aug (not 13), 8.30pm, £10-16.50