Bournemouth’s BIC was packed to the rafters and the audience were full of anticipation as the opening night of Lee Evans’ Monsters tour kicked off on Monday.

The comedian played it safe for the location of the first gig in his 50 date stand-up tour, returning to the Bournemouth venue he has played at numerous times over 20 years.

Taking to the stage in characteristically excitable (and sweaty) style, a giggly Lee admitted to the crowd the evening would be a bit ‘raw’ as he was still writing gags until just a few hours before the show.

Before the second half of his show he carried out a wad of printed notes for back-up, but you couldn’t be sure if it wasn’t all just part of the act.

Evans certainly didn’t need to win over the crowd, who lapped up his hilarious gripes and impressions of everything from relationships and drinking to the mysteries of teenagers, evolution and technology.

There were elements of the show that fell more on the risqué side with jokes about Rolf Harris and domestic violence, but Evans put it down to ironing out his routine and thanked the crowd for being ‘his friends’ for the night.

He closed to a standing ovation with a sparkly-jacketed, musical tribute to his wife of 30 years on an illuminated piano and performed the old favourite Bohemian Rhapsody mime routine to encore.

If you’re looking for an evening of laughs from someone who definitely doesn’t take himself seriously, you’ll be in for a treat.

l Lee Evans Live continues at the BIC until Sunday. See leeevans.net.