The problem about being the comedians' comedian is that it brings you kudos but does not pay the bills. Many stand-ups would rather be the bank managers' comedian. But after a show-stealing turn at the recent Secret Policeman's Ball respected raconteur Andrew Maxwell already deserved a rise. The gifted Irishman's effortless Soho showcase should help to push him further up the pecking order.

This lank-haired 32-year-old Dubliner has temporarily put aside punchlines in favour of longer, more descriptive set- pieces. Maxwell is no poetic word-weaver like Dylan Moran, Gatling gun gagster like Dara O'Briain or domesticated surrealist like Ardal O'Hanlon here. The closest comparison is Dave Allen's thoughtful routines spliced into the gonzo journalism of Hunter S Thompson.

The jazzily titled Round Twilight finds him recalling three of his nocturnal adventures while gigging around the globe. Night-time tends to be good source for material. Especially if you are in search of illegal narcotics. In Cape Town he was nearly mugged by street urchins while trying to score weed, in Qatar a quest for kicks ended with him being the only straight European at the gayest disco in the Middle East.

So far so backpacker anecdote, but as another Irishman nearly said, it is the way he tells them. Maxwell has total control of his audience, subtly adjusting the pace. Despite a warning that he was not match-fit - "I hope you like your comedy like your trombones. Rusty." - it was a typically seamless performance.

As with most liberal comedians there is an obligatory streak of playful Anti-Yankism. "America can put a man on the Moon but China can knock out 20 pairs of socks to the pound." This did not, however, stop Maxwell appearing in a black New York club where, as he vividly recalls, it took all of his verbal acrobatics to extricate himself from another sticky situation.

This final reminiscence was the weakest section of an impressive set. But there are plenty of laughs throughout, confirming what the comedy industry already knows and a growing army of new fans is rapidly discovering to their delight. When it comes to yarn-spinning Maxwell can outshine most rivals without breaking sweat.

• Until 16 Dec (0870 429 6883).