David O'Doherty (Tour – Salford)

Landing in the Lowry's Quays Theatre is David O'Doherty for the first of two nights. His meandering style of loud Irish wit and humorously melodious ditties take us in all directions. Whether it's the typeface and jaunty fonts of major corporations, the perils of being vaguely recognisable, or the pain of everyone walking out of his first show, we get an insight into his grumbles and struggles with modern life.

Unlike many comedians, he doesn't get his laughs from belittling other people, being unnecessarily blue or resorting to crude a stereotype, which is certainly a welcome change to me.

The show is refreshingly light, even though he takes it through some potentially depressing territory, such as everything that went wrong in his life, and he even survived not recognising that Salford isn't actually part of Manchester.

He comes across as being "one of you" effortlessly and leaves you feeling that actually life isn't that bad.

Okay, if I'm being honest he isn't one of the world’s greatest comedians and I wasn't rolling around the aisles aching with laughter, but I did enjoy the show and it was funny. If you're looking for a good night out where you don't have to think too hard, then this could be the show for you.

David O'Doherty is at the Lowry until 3 February.

– Geoff Hodge