Jessie Cave and Jenny Bede: Ain't Too Proud to Beg

While the programme entry for Ain't Too Proud to Beg makes no mention of Jessie Cave's part as Lavender in the Harry Potter films, it's fair to assume that much of the crowd gathered inside Henry's Cellar Bar this afternoon have come because of her ties to the franchise. Audience members treating the show as a public appearance from a minor celebrity are visibly baffled by the star's unconventional and wilfully niche approach to comedy, she herself describing it as a "happy cry for help."

A palpable sense of awkwardness fills the room as she takes to the stage armed with only a series of slightly creepy non-sequiturs, but she ploughs ahead with a commendable sense of purpose, expertly playing the tension she creates for laughs. She promises a rough set and this is exactly what she delivers, but it's clear that we're in the presence of a confident and original performer working toward something rather special.

By contrast, Jenny Bede's opening turn is a bit too populist for its own good, referencing the likes of Rhianna and One Direction to no great effect. Her songs are witty and don't shy away from making serious points, but place far too much focus on ephemeral mainstream culture. While Cave comes across as a gloriously out-of-step outsider, Bede tries too hard to conform and loses some of her otherwise engaging identity in the process. So, while both acts compliment each other, it's clear which is the one to keep an eye on.