“I work best under pressure” Jackson Grant tells the audience, a thin layer of sweat appearing on his forehead as the cumulative bodyheat of his sold-out crowd fills the tiny room at Arthur Art Bar. Combined with his wild gesticulations and emphatic delivery, he could be mistaken, as the show title suggests, as an addict of some kind. But as Jackson quickly explains, he is stone cold sober. The only thing coursing through his veins are bits, gags, and the occasional impression.

Jackson kicks off the show armed with a jokebook written by footballer Mark “Jacko” Jackson (no relation), selecting random quips for the audience, all of them horribly dated and belaboured. Jackson gets the audience on board immediately with his committment to the bit, revelling in the sheer silliness of it all. The irony is apparent but it’s Jackson’s sincere delivery, where other comedians would telegraph their detachment, that sells it.

Through musings on drug use and being a workaholic, an unexpected anti-military thread appears that is as poignant as it is absurd. Jackson weaves social commentary with abstract goofiness in a way that feels natural.Though aspects of the show still feel raw and underdeveloped, the sheer volume of jokes makes up for it. Jackson really shines in his audience interaction and crowdwork, even when the audience is at its rowdiest, making for a fun late-night show.

Jackson manages to channel his ever-present nervous energy into rapid-fire joke delivery. He does, as he claims, work best under pressure.

4 stars

Joke Addict is playing at Arthur Art Bar, 9:45 March 12-14 Tickets HERE