Jackson's Way

"They gave me an award for comedy," says Chris John Jackson, "which is strange for me, because I'm a life coach." The rags-to-riches Perrier triumph of comedy neophyte Will Adamsdale has already entered Edinburgh legend. Now on tour, Adamsdale's faux-motivational speaking act is striking an ever more confident balance between sublime nonsense and the type of philosophical provocation you seldom find in stand-up.The gist of Jackson's credo is that "there are many more pointless actions than pointful actions - so let's take advantage of that!" Here, in one primer seminar, are all the Jackson favourites: trying to rhyme two words that don't rhyme, or to put your hand in two places simultaneously. And new exercises, too: I liked Litter Exchange, whereby Jackson crosses town to replace one piece of rubbish with another.It's all quite ridiculous, and Adamsdale's US-accented performance milks the daftness deftly. His comic timing is consummate, and his jargon ("If you're taking Jackson, it's base camp to key question") puts corporate mumbo-jumbo to the sword. But it's also oddly heroic. Jackson's blind faith in meaninglessness is no more or less speculative than most religions, and his Sisyphean struggles to perform the impossible are like our futile lives in microcosm. "It's pointless," he says, "but, crucially, that doesn't stop me trying."The show slightly loses its philosophical purity as it progresses. Jackson's advanced lessons are less simple and more arbitrary. By this point, his grip on reality has been loosened by recurring memories of his bullying brother, Travis. Jackson's incipient breakdown, subtly played by Adamsdale, adds a tantalising dimension to the character - albeit one that threatens to undermine his credibility.It's a pleasure to watch this fruitful creation continue to evolve. Unusually in comedy, or indeed elsewhere, Adamsdale's crowd is never quite sure what they are watching. Is it spoof, stand-up, or one fragile man's postcard from the edge of reason? Adamsdale has crept into the gap between theatre and comedy to deliver a delirious mixture of all three.· At Just the Tonic, Nottingham, tonight. Box office: 015-947 6096. Then touring.