The art of the one-liner is difficult to sustain for a full hour, but comedian Dylan Dodds may just have the writing skills to do it. In his latest whimsy-flavoured, gag-heavy show, we’re thrown into a repetitive Groundhog Day-esque time loop where days begin with a stage call and end with watching The Incredibles 2. While the layered jokes and constant callbacks are engaging at first, Dodds sadly tangles himself up within a narrative web of his own making. 

Initially, jokes are not tethered to any theme but suddenly we’re informed this is a show about Dodds becoming a father during covid and suffering a mental breakdown (the non-linear structure makes it unclear which came first). Important details of this story are raced through at record-breaking speed and ultimately end up feeling relatively low stakes, despite this being the reason for us all being collectively unable to move forward in time.

Some finessing of the reveal, perhaps to be made more whimsical rather than earnest, would have elevated things. Well-crafted jokes and clever wordplay can still be mined from this show, but in pursuit of profundity, the tonal clashes and just too many ideas muddy the final product. 

Dylan Dodds: GroundDodds Day, Just The Tonic At The Mash House, until 25 August, 2.10pm; main picture: Carl Durrant.