Once a comedian has made it big on television a stage return can be problematic. Katy Brand has not actually made it big yet but the rising star of her own ITV2 sketch show still had a few difficulties last night. Partly technical and partly because her guests were frequently funnier.

Brand’s best moments were her over-the-top pop spoofs. After a wobbly Amy Winehouse opening that was painfully wide of the target she hit a bulls-eye with her Killers send-up, highlighting their lyrical absurdity via her own nonsense version: “Are you hummus or are you badger?”

A pair of what looked like two stuffed hamsters on her shoulders added sartorial satire to the Brandon Flowers pastiche.

Her wistfully Welsh Duffy was persuasive, too, (“When I get to Finsbury Park, I’ll meet you outside the Primark”) and compensated for a witless, over-screechy Kate Winslet caricature and various insipid skits that might have had more impact if there had not been a distinct lack of microphones.

The acts who plugged the costume change gaps were a mixed bag. A few fell pancake flat but David Armand and Jo Neary triumphed with their well‑honed musical mimes, while Dan Skinner’s nervy, nerdy creation Angelos Epithiemu could be destined for cult status.

Bemusement was a noticeable audience response though. Maybe some were expecting Russell Brand.