Science – Ricky Gervais, BIC (From Bournemouth Echo)

Science – Ricky Gervais, BIC

11:24pm Monday 26th July 2010 in

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IF COMEDY is a science, then the setting for Ricky Gervais’ latest routine is an apt one – the lair of a mad professor in the Frankenstein mould.

It’s easy to imagine Gervais cackling gleefully as he mixes anecdotes and punchlines in a quest for new laughs.

That aside, there’s precious little overt science in the show, as Ricky himself admits, veering from stories about his life to a critical dissection of a child’s book of Noah, and thence to gags which seem crafted with barrier-pushing in mind as much as giggle-making.

The mix of comedy knowledge – the creator of the Office and Extras certainly knows how to get an audience laughing – and experimental attempts to find the humour in some dubious material certainly imply a scientific approach from the comedian.

But is he funny? Oh yes, very much so.

His enthusiasm and affability are infectious, and while there may not be as many belly-laughs as you might expect from a well-honed 90-minute set, there are plenty of chuckles to be had.

You’re left with the nagging feeling that Gervais wants to offend you, just a little bit, just once. But darn it, he’s just too likeable for it to stick.

And he’s a confident, relaxed performer with a superb sense of timing.

Deadpan support act Stewart Francis was a bit hit-and-miss, but had some decent one-liners and did a good job warming up the audience.