Andrew Doyle: Whatever it Takes

Once on stage, Andrew Doyle wastes no time in referencing his sexuality. Five minutes pass and he's nearly outed a member of the front row to the shock of his oblivious mother. Playing the part of the predatory homosexual, our hero devotes much of Whatever it Takes to hitting on a largely receptive audience. In keeping with the comedian's frank manner, his material itself addresses such contentious issues as Jesus's appealing physique, genital tattoos and soggy biscuit games.

A school teacher of some intelligence, Boyle's world view is distinct enough that his routines are never as crass as they may first appear, instead providing honest insight into him as a person. Still, even he wearily acknowledges that being gay is an innately amusing concept to many comedy consumers and an assured source of cheap, immediate laughs. It's probably the performer's intention to create an interesting sense of conflict on stage by positing himself as a frustrated intellectual forced into perpetuating a vulgar stereotype, but his persona is frequently inconsistent and underdeveloped.

A lengthy segment of the show in which he improvises an anecdote based on audience suggestions is clearly intended to highlight Boyle's confidence and quick wit. He carries out the task with aplomb as we become so involved in his tale that we forget it's unrehearsed fiction. It's just a shame that for all his bravery, self awareness and near mastery of his craft, Doyle is too often held back by the limits of his subject matter.