Frank Skinner might not have a regular television series at the moment, but he is certainly keeping himself busy. Having recently presented an edition of Panorama on the thorny issue of swearing, he has now launched this club promising high-quality acts in a West End theatre at a rock bottom £10 price. An ambitious enterprise and the opening night did not disappoint.

Skinner was in his element as compere, tack-sharp and topical: “We’ve got a competition with a prize. The Chelsea job.” His cheeky-chappie personality ought to feel old hat yet somehow Skinner’s splendidly smutty innuendo, corny asides and even his George Formbyesque songs felt strangely timeless. Telly’s loss is the stage’s gain.

The Black Country clown certainly assembled a strong bill. If Newcomer Tom Deacon was derivative, evoking the studentish ebullience of Russells Kane and Howard, he still revealed promise but could never compete with the next act. Michael McIntyre unexpectedly nipped in, wowed the crowd with his riffs on Obama, parenthood and the perils of modern postage and nipped out. No comedian could follow that. Luckily Connie Fisher was present, belting out a heady mix of showstoppers. 

After the interval Anna Crilly and Katy Wix hit the night’s only flat note. In time this sketch duo might be a female Vic and Bob but here their elliptical advert send-ups bemused an audience wanting no-frills nonsense.

Fortunately the closing act provided chuckles by the barrel-load. Whenever it seems that Al Murray’s Pub Landlord cannot get more monstrous he does just that. His head-to-head haranguing of a banker in the stalls was simultaneously terrifying and hilarious. 

Skinner deserves a financier-sized bonus for his efforts, even if the concept is not entirely selfless. Major acts get to roadtest new material — Murray, for instance, is about to start a UK tour — minor acts get a taste of the big stage. But one would have to be clinically depressed not to enjoy an evening like this.
Mondays until 9 March (0844 579 0089, www.frankskinnerlive.com).