With searchlights cutting through the night sky outside the Brighton Centre and a giant faux pyramid interior set filling the stage, it was clear Sussex’s most famous comic star was back on home turf.

It’s been six years since Eddie Izzard last toured the country, so you might be forgiven for thinking a certain reinvention had taken place.

The UK’s most famous transvestite had toned down his stage costume, eschewing the usual high heels and feminine top for unisex jeans and a stripey shirt, topped off with a ringmaster’s coat.

But the content of the show was still very Izzard – getting the biggest laughs from his surreal take on the animal kingdom.

With a show structured around the principle of civilisation, starting in the first half with a rejection of God and the story of evolution, there was a certain amount of treading old ground, with hymns and Hitler both forming central topics.

But there were some memorable moments, such as the lions and tigers’ experience on Noah’s ark – “like four students eating cake mix” – and a brilliant attack on intelligent design based around the crazy idea of giving cows four stomachs.

The show was shot through with Eddie’s trademark energy and enthusiasm, and although he made reference to his mammoth marathon achievement – pointing out that no one believes you when you say you’ve run 18 marathons – there were no signs of him slowing down.

He may not be back at his Glorious heyday, but it is certainly good to see Eddie back on stage.