Thom: Foolery With Thom Tuck

With its lineup changing daily, Tuck offers no guarantee of quality on any given day. All audiences can be assured of is that each act on the bill will carry a variation of the name Thomas. Our giggling 'Tompere' for the hour, Thom Tuck, is more amused by this premise than we are, but clearly knows a winningly stupid conceit when he stumbles upon one.

The enthusiasm emanating from the former Penny Dreadfuls star seems to rub off on this afternoon's performers, each going off-mic to deliver a personable set in an environment where failure is anticipated and even actively encouraged.

Tom Neenan is the first to admit he isn't a standup, but here dabbles in snappy, esoteric poetry readings while wearing an apologetic grimace. This uncertain turn is a world away from the densely worded narratives he's come to perfect, and it's a privilege watching the man venture into uncharted territory, if only as a favour to a mate.

Pappy's wildcard Tom Parry is a far more polished proposition, having proven his powers as a solo performer last year. He's currently at the Fringe in the capacity of a show director, and here a handful of lucky stragglers are treated to a knockabout reprisal of his best routines.

Headline act Tom Allen is the first to falter with an ironic commentary on the differences between gays and straights, but finds his footing during a series of oddly specific recollections about formative visits to his local swimming pool.

As we succumb to Allen's monologue, Tuck stands at the back, high on the strange sense of camaraderie he's somehow managed to foster.