Charlyne Yi: Dances On The Moon

If you're a fan of indie flicks in the vein of Juno, Charlyne Yi is probably your sort of comedian. She has an endearing, awkward stage persona that remains just the right side of twee.

Much of her material is about troubled relationships, and she creates a needy yet charming character. In one memorable sequence, she recalls advice that standup can be cathartic, and lists various embarrassing experiences with a resolutely straight face. In the end, the sheer innocence of the scene has the audience shaking with laughter. She's musical too, using a range of instruments to create clever parodies of lovelorn indie ballads.

Yi has extensive experience as a screenwriter and movie actress, and here she cannot resist the temptation to use clips of her other work. One sequence in which Yi pesters people with a microphone is very funny indeed, but this is more than balanced out by another that is merely a promo video for a year-old film. The overall effect is slightly disappointing, using freely available material to pad out her standup.

This is a pity because, at her best, Yi has some very original ideas. Material that explores the relationship between performer, persona and audience is witty and thought-provoking, making for a very smart finale.

Yi is a clever and capable act, but never quite manages to convert charm into outright hilarity. There are signs here that she could be a very good standup, but first she needs to leave her comfort zone, no matter how snug and entertaining it is.