Going undercover in Harlem

It sounds an arcane idea - resurrect hipster American comic Lord Buckley, stick him in a cabaret rally for trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie's presidential challenge, throw in Lenny Bruce and add a live jazz trio.

Indeed, beautifully played as Jake Broder's homage is, its point is hard to fathom. Broder captures an endearing jive innocence as Buckley: cigarette dangling from his lips, his voice is like Prince Charles going undercover in Harlem.

But the appeal of hearing a jive rejig of A Christmas Carol has waned by the time Scrooge - 'I'm taking it in, I ain't puttin' it out' - meets Marley's Ghost. Two more set-pieces, about Jonah and Jesus ('The Naz'), are equally wearing.

Worse, they seem a distraction from the point of the evening. It's inspired by Gillespie's real campaign in 1964, by which time his Lordship was four years dead. So what we have is an imagined apex of 1950s and 60s counter-cultural cabaret, with Broder well supported by David Tughan's Lenny Bruce.

It's too loosely conceived to gel, even if the singing and playing are terrific. I'd pay to see this talented crew do a cabaret show as themselves - but the case for Buckley's revival remains unproven.

Until Nov 6, Soho Theatre And Writers Centre, 21 Dean Street W1, Mon to Sat 9.30pm, £15, £12 concs. Tel: 0870 429 6883. Tube: Tottenham Court Road

Vote Dizzy! An Evening With His Royal Hipness Lord Buckley