Glasweigan fortysomething Janey Godley is certainly not short of inspiration for her show, though little of it comes from the usual stand-up songsheet.
During an eventful existence she has been sexually abused, seen heroin-addicted friends die and married into a criminal clan. The result is the kind of gig that sends a chill through you even as you are laughing.
This ex-publican, who recently acted as a bridge between the Old-Wavers and Young Turks on C4's Big-Brotherish King Of Comedy, adheres to the Billy Connolly principle of chatting the audience into submission.
Like Connolly, she is a great yarn-spinner. Godley digresses too much, but she is getting there. This current earthy set is her most structured to date.
Last night's performance was scattershot as well as skilful and gutsy. The nearest she comes to orthodox material is when she reflects on her teenage wedding: "I got married so young I was given Ker Plunk! for a present."
A story about eating a fuzzy felt Jesus in church is a fairly innocuous account of loss of faith. Yet it is one of many routines doing the rounds that might have to be dropped if Parliament's latest anti-racial hatred legislation makes it a criminal offence for comedians to mock religious figures. Now that would be a laughable piece of government.
Her husband's Asperger's Syndrome-related obsession with black pens offers her a further oblique comic angle, while mindbogglingly colourful stories involving her in-laws have to be heard to be believed.
It is hard to know how much embellishment there is here, but if her anecdotes are a tenth true, her forthcoming autobiography will be a riveting read.
Godley has been a professional comic for only a handful of years, but a life less ordinary has furnished her with some unforgettable riffs.
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She may not be the funniest or most focused stand-up around at the moment, but she is definitely unique. Who else can talk about their ex-abuser being killed and have the room in a mix of giggles and incredulous gasps?
Until Saturday. Information: 0870 429 6883.
Janey Godley - Good Godley!
