There’s a thin line between success and failure at a comedy gig, one that becomes even more blurred when confronted with Phil Ellis’ brand of controlled chaos. During his latest show Hedgehog, he stutters through anecdotes with imprecision, seems intent on an endless series of digressions, and strikes out on as many punchlines as he hits. Yet his haphazard style meshes perfectly with his sad-sack persona. 

The thematic core of this overly ragged hour revolves around Ellis as he enters his 40s wondering whether he’s taken a wrong turn in life, rambling about topics such as house-sharing, children that sound like adults, outdated lyrics to classic songs and rubbish circuses. On the surface, his observations are as run-of-the-mill as any seasoned club comic, but the deliberate lack of slickness and Ellis’ willingness to epitomise self-loathing fling seemingly trite observations into uncharted territory. The standard anecdote about doing a bad gig, for instance, is given a new lease of life here by the sheer number of strange and unexpectedly bleak elements he throws into the mix. 

It’s a solid show but also somewhat grab-bag, never finding a through route or hitting a discernible high note. But Ellis’ willingness to play tricks on his audience, an obvious skill with one-liners and fleet-footedness with a crowd give Hedgehog an edge sorely lacking from most midlife-crisis comedy shows. 

Just The Tonic At The Caves, until 28 August, 6.40pm.