There is a delightful madness to Ross Noble’s work. He is a self-proclaimed ‘Wizard of Waffle, Rambler Royale and Noodlers’ Noodler’, and nobody could put it any better!

His latest show, Cranium Of Curiosities, is an engaging, chortle-inducing journey through the surreal thoughts and ponderings of one of the UK’s most-loved comedians. Noble flits from one scene to the next like some sort of manic butterfly, constantly heading off at a tangent and leaving us wondering where he will go next. His gently eccentric persona, and his ability to laugh at himself and at the world, endear him to his fans in a way that many other comedians can only dream of.

Noble is a natural on stage, and his set meanders, twists and turns with ease. His humour is offbeat and zany, sometimes just downright weird, but unfailingly hilarious. Anecdotes about topics from Rachel Reeves’ reaction when she hears about Trump’s attack on Iran, to life before dating apps and Martin Lewis’ mortgage advice provide rich sources of material. With a wry take on the modern world, Noble’s ideas for an off-the-wall game show featuring Shakira, and a musical based on The Human Centipede may never see the light of day, but given the current tendency for TV series based on increasingly spurious concepts, he may not be that far off the mark.

Unpredictable, improvised banter with the audience supplies further ingredients for this cocktail of mayhem. Noble is an expert in knowing just how to connect with his fellow human beings, and his quick wit and sharp observations lead to pure, laugh-out-loud merriment. His treatment of the crowd verges on the caustic, but his targets know what they are in for and cooperate willingly and with glee.

It’s no surprise that Noble has been a familiar, beloved sight on television screens and on the comedy circuit for many years now. This tour proves that he’s as intriguing and irresistible as ever. If an evening of side-splitting, chaotic nonsense is your thing, then this is certainly the show for you.

Five stars

Ross Noble’s Cranium Of Curiosities was reviewed by Rachel Smith on Thursday 19 March at Symphony Hall