Dan Tiernan takes many of the staples of stand-up and toys with them. Beginning with that classic introduction of acknowledging people who they look like, Tiernan’s list goes on and on, getting more and more ridiculous as it progresses. Sometime later, a visual representation of the special needs kids’ dance troupe at his high school is pant-wettingly overlong too. Of course, therein lies the hilarity: milking the joke for everything its worth. But Tiernan ups the ante everywhere; he’s a crazed, full-on performer, frequently coming at his audience with a guttural roar.

Tiernan has been a fast-rising presence on the Manchester comedy scene for a few years. After getting noticed locally, he went on to win the BBC New Comedy Award last year, so this debut is much anticipated. It doesn’t disappoint; in fact it would be no surprise to see him on an award shortlist by the end of this run. Blessed with a low brow and beady deep-set eyes, much material plays on what’s ‘wrong with him’ (it’s dyspraxia he reveals early on).

Tiernan paints a largely inept figure, bemused by the lack of loo roll in his flat. The laughs come thick and fast; some of the set-ups might seem familiar but the punchlines are innovative. He’s even got a poignant bit about something in his life he’s not happy about, but it’s there and so he takes mocks it mercilessly. This boy is going places. 

Dan Tiernan: Going Under, Monkey Barrel, until 27 August, 10pm.