Comedy

As the lights slowly come up on a miniature train set and the gently haunting brass band music begins, you forget instantly that you’re sat inside a tiny, sweaty Portakabin and are transported into a blissful bubble of magical storytelling.

Over a perfectly paced hour Wrigglesworth recounts the true story of one particularly peculiar train journey, which ended in him being arrested for begging after merely trying to help out a fellow passenger in distress. I’ll say no more about the tale itself other than that it’s beautiful, heartwarming and one which everyone should discover for themselves.

Tom is a rare talent and although comparisons will no doubt be made with that other great Northern storyteller Daniel Kitson (not a bad person to be compared to by any means) there is more charm and heart at play here. He deals with the material with such a light and delicate touch that you find yourself moving almost imperceptibly between raucous laughter and tender tears.

The key to the success of this show is that whilst it has a strong message about the stupidity of blindly following irrational rules and regulations and the power of human kindness, it never veers into the mawkish or saccharine, it also never falters in delivering its very high laughter quota. Engaging, inspiring and exquisitely performed, this is an hysterical and accomplished piece of work which will stay with you for days. Comedy is rarely this elegant.

Tom Wrigglesworth's Open Return Letter to Richard Branson is on at the Pleasance Theatre daily at 19.00.