★★★

FITTINGLY enough for a sport-heavy show, this was a performance of two halves. McGowan kicked off with his famed repertoire of impressions that coaxed laughs from the audience rather than caused uncontrollable hysterics.

As impressive as the range of voices he can cover - almost all seamlessly - you’ve got to know who he’s imitating to find it really funny. He introduced partner in crime Jasper Carrott and the first half was a little underwhelming.

Having told the crowd inside the Theatre Royal he’d not been on the stand-up circuit since the 1990s, you could be excused for thinking he picked up the same script. Observational comedy has moved on a fair bit from getting annoyed at caravans on the road and in-flight emergency protocol.

Thankfully, the second half was far superior. Carrott even made reference to modern comedians now not having to be funny, relying on swearing for laughs.

And he followed it up with a refreshing and risqué routine. McGowan, too, was on fire before inviting Carrott back on stage with his comedy quality shining through. Two good comedians for the price of one - you can’t complain.