Glee Club, Cardiff
Wed 4 April

words: BETTI HUNTER

Elis James has had his fair share of lucky breaks. The rising Welsh star performed his debut solo show at Edinburgh Fringe three years ago, and the offers haven’t stopped rolling in since. From humble beginnings as a warm-up artist at the Deal Or No Deal studios, he rapidly progressed to winning critical acclaim for his stand-up shows, appearances on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Russell Howard’s Good News. He was also notably asked to accompany fellow countryman Rhod Gilbert on his UK tour.

Known for his gentle approach to comedy and accessible, jovial style, his new show Do You Remember The First Time is not quite as raunchy as the name would suggest. It details the multitude of new experiences that life has thrown his way, ranging from the first time he kissed a girl at Christian Youth Club to the first time he choked at a pantomime. Far from the cynical, controversial comedy currently being splashed all over our screens, James relies on self-deprecation, charm and intelligence to win his audiences over.

His mostly anecdotal material is refreshingly free from profanity and egomania, and this forthcoming appearance at Cardiff’s Glee Club promises to deliver a new batch of hilarious tales about James’s recent encounters, including a chance meeting with a celebrity, an accident at a wedding and the various drunken misdemeanours he’s witnessed during his time on the road. With his upward trajectory continuing, he’s close to becoming a national treasure and shouldn’t be missed.

Tickets £12 (£9 conc.) Info: www.glee.co.uk