George Ryegold's God-in-a-Bag

If God-In-A-Bag was on TV, it would be a fairly conventional sitcom, but on stage it becomes something altogether more entertaining. That’s partly down to a script which is punctuated with the kind of risqué jokes – a blow-by-blow review of a porn film delivered, rather inappropriately, as a school classroom lecture – that would probably not be acceptable in your living room.

But what really elevates this show, which revolves around an under-achieving academic and his less ambitious chums and colleagues, is the vividly realised creation of Dr George Ryegold, an unpleasant yet not unlikeable character who bears comparison with Edmund Blackadder.

Watching Toby Williams wax lyrical as the self-satisfied, lazy, corpulent and tight-fisted yet smart, educated, good-humoured Ryegold is a genuine pleasure. He lights up the stage each time he appears, and while those scenes without him feel flat, the supporting cast of four acquit themselves ably enough in less well-defined roles. A late-night television (or radio) series wouldn’t go amiss.

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, until 27 Aug (not 13), 1.45pm, £9--£10 (£8--£9).