Bill Bailey - Dandelion Mind Tour, Wyndhams Theatre, Leicester Square Live Review 2010

In the intimate surroundings of the Wyndhams Theatre we seem terribly close to a stage scattered with instruments and props which quite possibly represent the inner workings of Bill Baileys mind. Then enters the lively, dry witted West Country man and a whirlwind of random thoughts begins.

The key to a good comedy gig is when a comedian can hit the familiarity button and share a common meaning with their audience. With a set formed loosely around the concept of 'doubt' Bill Bailey is already off to a good start.

Doubt - 'involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact'.

How many of us can honestly say that we are not living in an age of continuous questioning and doubt? So when Bailey reels off into his own sarcastic and doubtful thoughts on a coalition government, Wayne Rooney, and the Olympics, it's not unfamiliar territory.

What may seem pointless ideas to begin with are given the right amount of fact and evidence that they soon become completely valid. His show is not just mindless topics strung together with musical creations; these are well thought out musings which compliment each other perfectly.

Bailey does not disappoint on the standards of his usual mixture of talk and music. He is the kind of guy who would alleviate an awkward situation or an argument with an inappropriately timed comedy song. and ultimately win you over. He has control, respect, and a massive presence here.

He holds nothing back. Where jokes about the Pope could go incredibly wrong, the entire audience wishes they had the confidence to tell them. In fact, one of the most endearing aspects of this show is that he is merely saying what we are all thinking. From his quips at Nick Clegg for selling out to the Tories, to his annotated video about the self scan section in supermarkets. We all look at each other with a look that signifies 'I know what he means'.

This inner confidence could be elevated by the cosy environment, making it seem like a lecture theatre. In fact Bailey often comes across as the cynical professor. He references discussion groups, has a stick to annotate his religious art history section, and over analyses a break down of 'Smack That' by Akon.

He may be a self confessed 'part troll' who gets audience heckles telling him to get a hair cut, but he's on top form with this tour. Leaving us with thoughts of him living vicariously through himself as an outside celebrity, he says he often finds himself thinking 'what would Bill Bailey do?' Go and see this show I would assume, and he wouldn't be wrong!

Laura Johnstone