A Brighton audience was given a treat as the versatile Lenny Henry previewed his one-man show, So Much Things To Say, prior to its West End opening.

The show not only served as a vehicle to show off his greatness as a stand-up comedian but also gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his considerable acting skills.

In the first half, his hilarious act interacting with various members of the audience was interspersed with a series of monologues from five diverse characters.

They ranged from an SAS soldier on duty in Iraq and a wife contemplating leaving her husband to a wheelchair-bound former super-stud ranting about old age and a stolid shop keeper giving forth on contemporary issues.

The significance of these characters became apparent in the clever second half of the show when their stories intertwined.

The monologues, in fact, became a surrealistic play that ended with the characters taking over from Lenny's role playing and dictating the scenario.

This rapid switching of roles enabled Lenny to give a tour de force performance and he is to be congratulated on this bold departure from his usual act.

Review by Barrie Jerram, features@theargus.co.uk