In a world of trauma dumps and overshares, there’s something comforting about Alec Snook’s approach to mining his misery for comedy. There are no critical moments of revelation in his ragtag hour about death, nor is there a sudden moment when jokes dissipate to reveal a searing inner truth about his night terrors or disastrous marriage. Instead, he’s happy to play the oddball with off-the-wall gags, sudden bursts of song and lascivious silliness about his time in a petting zoo. 

Grounding Decomposing, Live is the passing of Snook’s mother and his sudden urge to be funny while delivering her eulogy. Yet much of his material is unapologetically leftfield, seemingly satisfied with some of his punchlines unsettling audiences more than making them laugh (although plenty unambiguously hit the mark). Amidst his low-key strangeness, there are plenty of strong gags and a few anecdotes that are crying out for a sturdier anchor. 

Alec Snook: Decomposing, Live, Laughing Horse @ The Three Sisters, until 25 August, noon; main picture: Oli Bussell.