Dana Alexander: New Arrival

Billed as "the only black comedienne in Canada" Alexander has managed to wipe that statistic off the map by settling in London and therefore in a country where the word comedienne is used about as much as, well, as much as there are now black comics in Canada.

Blessed with a bright and engaging persona, the 29-year-old keeps her small audience on side through 50 minutes of unambitious material punctuated by some piquant gags.

As is often the case, it is the material closer to real life experience, as opposed to generalised observations, that reaps the most reward. Her brother growing up gay in a Jamaican family in conservative Edmonton, Alberta (described as "the Texas of Canada") is one such example and she explores, albeit briefly, the obvious tension between orientation and environment.

Elsewhere, however, a lack of engagement with her subject areas characterises the set and with Alexander's tapering rhythm so typical of club comics from the US and Canada, she needs surer punchlines or more belief in the ones she has.

One factor in her defence is that the Underbelly's Belly Laugh is a horrendous space for comedy unless it is packed. Meanwhile, Alexander's attempts to work the room, such as it is, come quite late on. She does find comedy gold, however, with one woman who professed to holding her jaw to stop it aching from laughing. The lady revealed she was from Kent and when asked if she was posh, answered: "Frightfully."

It's probably the most incisive moment of the evening.