Political Animal @ The Stand

Political Animal is a multi-act gig with a varying line-up and tonight delivers consistent laughs, with only one dud in a solid group of rising performers.

However, all the acts are at their strongest when trotting out excerpts from their  own shows and on weaker ground when trying to contrive a political angle. Indeed, most admit to being uneasy with current politics despite the show’s billing.

After 13 years of Labour, you’d think the circuit would be clamouring to get stuck into the coalition. Yet so far this Festival there’s been a disappointing reluctance to move on. The Chilcot inquiry may afford a minor reprieve but material based on Blair and Bush is starting to feel dangerously dated and, more to the point, like a missed opportunity.

So thank heavens for compere Andy Zaltzman. He not only glues the night together nicely but also shows a deep and dextrous understanding of international politics and current affairs, drawing out rich strands of intelligent humour to just about justify that title.