Jack Whitehall, Hammersmith Apollo - review

He has already redeemed himself with an incisive portrayal of public school plonker JP in the Channel 4 hit Fresh Meat. Maybe not a huge stretch but still striking.

And last night's live show, detailing his attempts to grow up, suggested his stand-up style is maturing nicely.

Whitehall, 23, has previously appeared too eager to please but- playing his largest-ever London solo gig - his elaborate stories about everything from chain restaurants and reality TV to his doting mother and cranky father, who were in the audience, had room to breathe.

There was a particularly vivid portrait of his mother, who always hoped her son would marry fellow Marlborough College student Kate Middleton. Jack had better break the news that she is now spoken for.

Whitehall's childhood inspired the strongest material. As well as his well-worn splenetic swipe at another contemporary, Twilight star Robert Pattinson, there was a neat description of how his school was so Caucasian it "made Midsomer Murders look like The Wire".

His trademark is the rant that ends in a showboating punchline. There were two outstanding examples - one concerning his pre-pubescent Robin Hood fixation, the other a deliciously detailed dissection of stag and hen parties abroad.

What was most impressive about Whitehall though, was that, after initially being a little too inspired by comedy heroes such as Russell Brand and Stewart Lee, he is finding his own voice. Less smug, more humble, almost cuddly.

Still a silver-spooned voice, of course, but we'd better get used to that. He is going to be around for a long time.

Jack Whitehall