Martin Angolo @ Underbelly Bristo Square

Martin Angolo is difficult to miss. He has a Guinness in one hand and a big concept in the other: the idea that "comedians can't say anything these days". It's an hour in which he charms the audience with his tales of casual racism, belonging, and always siding with the lesbians. If it never quite lands the sucker punch that you might hope for, it certainly leaves you wanting more.

Angolo has a gentle humour which draws on some familiar Irish touchstones – the aforementioned Guinness, Riverdance, and how much Irish people hate Conor McGregor. And while there's real humour in all of the above, some of the references seem a little dated. He's open about having ditched some of his Biden material, but sequences referencing the pandemic already feel like a trip back in time.

Ultimately, Angolo has chosen a timely subject, self-censorship and free speech, and picks some of the obvious targets to zoom in on, notably race, Islam, and arguments around sex and gender. It feels frustrating as a comedian with his insight might have more to say on some meatier challenges. He mentions the IRA in passing but doesn't stop to ponder whether there are still some areas which are off-limits to comedians. Perhaps a few more gags about his own neck of the woods might have fended off accusations that he was picking low-hanging fruit.

This is a show which leaves you wishing that Angolo had pushed the envelope. He's a confident and hugely likeable performer, with no attitude or aggro to his act. Perhaps a little more of a killer instinct might have allowed him to take on some more challenging targets.

---

Martin Angolo: Idiot Wind, Underbelly Bristo Square (Clover), until 26 Aug, 5.25pm, £8-12