What with work, a husband and three kids, it’s no wonder Fiona Allen is on the run. Where else would she escape to but stand-up comedy? And, in a world over-populated by angsty navel-gazing male comics, it’s refreshing to hear her declare stand-up is neither hard nor scary, at least compared to the pressures of phoning the GP and dealing with the NCT mums.

Best known (and beloved) for her stint on Smack The Pony, in recent years Allen has been majoring in TV acting gigs (where she’s usually the kidnapper). There’s certainly no doubting her gift for well-observed characterisation; whether it’s her mother, her cleaner, her hairdresser or more well-known faces, slipping into the people that populate her life provides some of the funniest moments of an easy-going and well-paced show. 

When Allen wanted a new hobby, she could have taken up yoga or camping. But comedy beats downward dogs, and now she’s driving up and down the country telling stories to strangers. There’s something quietly subversive about the way she makes that seem like the most sensible choice, while every woman in this audience cheers her on and secretly makes plans to jump into a suitcase and join her.

Fiona Allen: On The Run, Pleasance Courtyard, until 20 August, 4.15pm.