Reading the biography of B.B. King, Charlie Pickering decides that if B.B. can write so badly and still get published then damn it all, so can he. What follows are Pickering’s attempts to begin his own autobiography.

Auto is a show where the crafty touch of the director is obvious. Pickering, a generally bouncy, physical and energetic performer, spends much of the performance seated and even when moving shows control and purpose. The stage, complete with desk and computer, sets the performance up as a piece of theatrical comedy, rather than traditional stand-up. Director Alan Brough, a deft hand at shaping comedy performances to make the most of the material, has helped Pickering create a refined, well-thought-out narrative.

The strength of Auto lies in its departure from a quick-laugh stand-up set and into an overarching story which is woven together tightly. There are plenty of laughs, but the audience also enjoys following Pickering’s recollections of past memories and characters, seeing him make fun of himself and all the people he has been surrounded by.

There is no doubt that the performer has attempted something different from his last show, Betterman, and comes out with something more dramatic, possibly sacrificing some laughs along the way. A solid performance which has been polished to perfection is presented in a way that allows the audience to come along on a journey rather than dip in and out of stand-up material, a nice change from many of the ’straight’ shows of the Festival.

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