This show begins on a wonderful high point, as the lights go up and Hal Cruttenden wriggles his way through a rendition of ‘Survivor’ by Destiny’s Child, lamenting the pathetic quality of male break-up songs (James Blunt, anyone?). He’s camp, giggly and slightly awkward-on-purpose, with an exceptional delivery that elevates every joke. He steers us through family dramas and relationship splits before moving into the slightly murkier waters of geopolitics. 

Cruttenden is certainly on the right side of history, with some genuine frustration and anger toward the Trump administration. However, these jokes are getting a little worn, and it all feels like we’ve heard a lot of it before. Luckily, he is so ridiculously charming that even the flatter jokes garner a laugh. His not-so-recent divorce has been mined for material, tongue-in-cheek comments about his ex-wife and her new policeman boyfriend keep giving throughout the show, cheap laughs weaved in with stories that build with an impressive craftsmanship.

Cruttenden is a gifted storyteller, mostly when talking about his personal experiences of parenting, an alarming new sex life, and trying to impress Jeremy Clarkson. The show is a safe bet, packed with big laughs, and Cruttenden himself is a star; but with a title promising to ‘dish it out’, he could go harder. His jabs at Reform and polytechnics might make him a controversial character in middle England, but this is the Fringe.

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It, Pleasance Courtyard, until 24 August, 9.30pm; main picture: Steve Ullathorne.