Ricky Gervais has dubbed Louis CK "the funniest stand-up working America". Chris Rock has praised his comic mind. With friends delivering testimonials like these, it is no surprise that the Soho Theatre box office has been doing brisk business.

It is a surprise, however, that this salty US comedian actually comes perilously close to living up to the mega-hype. Sporting jeans and casual top, CK - a shortened version of his Hungarian surname Szekely - strolls on as if he has just been propping up a nearby bar after a hard day's trucking.

But the moment he speaks he is in his element. Muscular, persuasive and loud when he needs to be, pausing when it suits him, he has been at this game for 20 years and it shows. In fact, he is so polished it stops fans noticing that some of his subject matter is predictable. Moans and groans about his divorce, parenthood and his 40-year-old body falling apart threaten to be obvious but there is a skilful bleakness that raises his one-liners way above the norm.

Once upon a time a doctor would fix his ailments, he reflects. Now he is simply told his ankle is worn out, get over it. He has some extremely pithy takes on race, too.

Despite this run being billed as his UK debut, CK played the mainstream Jongleurs circuit in the Nineties. In many ways he is the ultimate Jongleurs act - a slick, observational joker par excellence.

For artistic breakthroughs look elsewhere but Gervais and Rock are no fools. Go and witness a consummate craftsman at work.

Until 23 August (020 7478 0100, www.sohotheatre.com).