Post-yuletide shindigs

Yes, the time has been and gone for Yuletide shindigs. But then pertinence has never been the forte of this terrific show, which debuted in a baking hot cabin at Edinburgh last August.

Jeremy Lions is the belching children's entertainer created by Justin Edwards of sketch trio The Consultants.

True, few parents would entrust their offspring to a sloshed mediocrity who dresses like a colour-blind travelling salesman.

But as Lions guides us through his Christmas show, there's too much comic invention at play to let plausibility spoil the party for long.

Special Brew in hand, Lion introduces us to friends such as Lord Sebastian the turkey, who lives on a plate next to roast potatoes, sprouts and bread sauce. Dressed as a snowman, he gives a biology lesson grisly enough to make Gunther Von Hagens blanch. He tears through some carols - and Beach Boys tunes. He downs a pint of brandy butter. Finally, appallingly, wonderfully, he necks back a glass of red for each of the 12 Days of Christmas.

In lesser hands, this would be just another smirking dig at showbiz mediocrity. But Edwards's fabulous timing and hearty sense of occasion take Lions into an exaggerated, broken comic realm of his own. Hugely enjoyable. Dominic Maxwell

Tonight and tomorrow, Soho Theatre And Writers Centre, 21 Dean Street W1, 9.15pm, £8, £6 concs. Tel: 020 7478 0100.

Tube: Tottenham Court Road