Stark raving naked

This show from Canadian Phil Nichol ends with a commemorative reference to the Christian sect of the Doukhobors and their naked protest against government mistreatment in 1903.

But it generally follows a more familiar formula: how I fell out with my girlfriend, went to Amsterdam, took some drugs and consequently had a comically bad experience, which, of course, is the fault of the girlfriend rather than the drugs or Nichol himself.

Nichol's delivery is less familiar. Once the doors open, he welcomes the crowd in, strumming his guitar and chatting amiably. But once the house lights are down, he snarls and hectors, throwing himself at the audience with a manic savagery.

Nichol's likeable persona buffers the confrontational aspects of his show, and even with his eyes popping out of his head, there's subtle art in his approach; Nichol cues himself up carefully, then nails forbidden subjects with quick comic jabs before returning innocently enough to his original thread.

Well-trodden comedy paths feel like new ground when Nichol travels them.

The show concludes with Nichol clambering, stark naked, over the audience's heads as he protests against the war in Iraq. Sure, Phil Nichol may be offering the same old sex, drugs and rock'n'roll but the way he tells it, it's getting as many laughs as ever.

Until Sun, The Stand Comedy Club II (V5) 8.15pm, £8, £7 concs. www.thestand.co.uk

Phil Nichol: The Naked Racist
The Stand Comedy Club II (V5), Edinburgh