Review: Tim Vine ***

TIM Vine is far from the modern comedian. While anger and cynicism dominate the stand-up circuit, Vine's amiable style, makes him seem like a throwback to a gentler age.

There's nothing out-of-date about his jokes, however. "Velcro – what a rip off!" is one of Vine's favourites, and one of mine.

It's with the quickfire puns that Vine is on strongest ground. From his black bag he pulls out a piece of paper marked BNAG! "That's bang out of order." And so they keep on coming.

It's only when he deviates from this simple formula that he wobbles slightly. Some of his longer jokes meander, leaving the audience, and him, looking uncomfortable as they wait for the pay-off.

The shortest ones are the sweetest – and that doesn't have to mean avoiding satire completely. "Now I think you'll agree that the banks are doing a sterling job," is just as effective as any 10 minute polemic on the rise and fall of Sir Fred Goodwin.

One wonders where Vine – brother of Radio 2's Jeremy – will go next. The gagman, 42, has appeared on TV shows but has never quite lit the blue touchpaper. Taking his encyclopaedia of puns around the UK's theatres, year after year, might not sound the best way to spend a life but his relish for the task gets him through. Cynics might call Vine lightweight but he is clean, energetic and really rather nice. More importantly, however, he guarantees laughs.