Although her show purported to be based around 100 emails she sent out asking for people's favourite role models, Jo Caulfield seemed happier to be doing freewheeling stand-up.

After what must have been a gruelling few months for the award-winning comic, with the Edinburgh Festival and associated spin-off gigs, her routine must have become, for her, just that.

So rather than trying to revive a tired set she embraced comic tradition, picking on the audience and ad-libbing instead.

I paid for my alcoholism as, creeping in late clutching beer, I was shoved towards the middle of the front row by a grinning, shushing usher.

I experienced first-hand the full force of her acerbic wit which left me hunched down in my chair, quivering slightly and concentrating on stopping my lower lip trembling.

Much of her act was based on ribbing the audience and she handled them skilfully, ad-libbing with ease when cocky hecklers tried to steal laughs.

Quick and sharp but never nasty, she engaged with the audience and we warmed to her.

Caulfield may not have you rolling in the aisles but she leaves you with a smile on your face that lasts longer than aching sides.