COMEDY: PICK OF THE WEEK

Jason Byrne tomorrow, Tue, Wed & Thur Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham & Derby

Jason Byrne specialises in weird and wonderful props: on one memorable occasion, he tried to fit audience members into boxes. No two shows from this livewire act are ever the same, but his breathless brand of surrealism has found favour with audiences and critics alike.

The winner of the Forth One Fringe Award at the Edinburgh Festival last summer, the likeable, high-energy Irish stand-up has been described as everything from "part Spike Milligan, part Duracell Bunny" to "a hyperactive five-year-old juiced up on Lucozade", and a comedian with "as much explosive energy as a medium-sized thermonuclear device".

Able to grab an idea from the audience and charge off with it in wildly unexpected directions, Byrne is especially adept at working off the cuff. He is now embarking on a UK tour. As one reviewer put it: "If you're not on the floor helpless with laughter, you're probably dead."

Just the Tonic, Nottingham (0115-910 0009) tomorrow, 9pm; Y Theatre, Leicester (0116-255 7066) Tue, 8pm; Glee Club, Birmingham (0870 241 5093) Wed, 8pm; Assembly Rooms, Derby (01332 255800) Thur, 8pm