An atmosphere of excitement among the capacity audience preceded Mark Steel's arrival onstage, clearly we were awaiting a much-treasured comedian and provocateur.

Before long the air within the Corn Exchange had turned blue, Steel's trademark caustic invective filling the space.

Railing against economists, NIMBYism and rank Liberalism - try to stay away from Brighton resident Steel if you've named your child Hercules or Ocelot - while championing tolerance with regards to immigration, Steel tempered his angry-everyman routine with a relaxed and warm attitude towards the audience.

Back In Town's material is comprised of observations, critiques and comedy relevant to the town Steel is performing in.

A routine which hinged in large part on the audience knowing who Haile Selassie, Ethiopian ruler and messiahnic figurehead of the Rastafari religion was, fell slightly flat as Brightonians revealed the gap in their collective knowledge to Steel's exaggerated despair.

Regardless, a good many laughs were had as Steel proved himself a master of mimicry (13 accents ranging from Nepalese to Wiganese were deployed) and a likeable curmudgeon.

One message he would particularly like to be spread is this: Prince George is not more important than you are. He's a bloody baby.