After a traditional start spent padding out the wait for latecomers with some easy laughs generated by jokes about lawyers, ninjas and accidentally fighting for the Taliban, Pickering got stuck into his show proper, which celebrates his love for his father and, specifically, his father’s love of elaborate practical jokes.

Thence followed a long’overly long, judging by the anxious and slightly irritated expressions on the front-of-house staff’s faces at its conclusion’series of stories about practical jokes, counter jokes, and a state of virtual warfare between ‘Two households, both alike in dignity…from ancient grudge break to new mutiny.’

Sadly, unlike the familiar story of Shakespeare’s Montagues and Capulets, there really wasn’t enough material to sustain for an hour Pickering’s admittedly well-timed retelling of what are, essentially, amusing family anecdotes.

This was a preview show so, of course, Pickering will gain a stronger grasp of his material over time. And Impractical Jokes was well-constructed both thematically and in terms of its narrative.

But, perhaps, the material is more suited to being told over the dinner table or a few beers than on stage at Melbourne International Comedy Festival. A low point, in which Pickering segued into an aimless and clearly improvised conversation between himself and a parking meter, was a clear indication that, charismatic as he is, the tousle-haired Pickering needs stronger material if he’s going to live up to his reputation.