NINA CONTI
THE LOWRY, SALFORD QUAYS

WITH her array of puppet pals, comedian Nina Conti drags ventriloquism into the 21st century in fabulous style.

Looking like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, she often looks as surprised and amused by what comes out of the puppets’ mouths as her audience.

She kicked off Monday night’s sold-out show at The Lowry, Salford Quays, with her foul-mouthed, depressed sidekick monkey, named Monk, before introducing a host of new puppets, including her daughter, amorous handyman, Scottish gran and a stray dog.

Nina, daughter of actor Tom Conti, is at complete ease on the stage and has some fans crying with laughter at points throughout the show with her hilarious improvisation and quick wit.

Beware of sitting on the front row unless you are happy to discuss your job and relationship status with Monk or do not mind the possibility of ending up on stage.

Another section of the show sees the funnywoman get a member of the audience on stage and adorn them with a face mask, with juggling, balloon-modelling, custard pie consequences.

As well as Monk, who I would like to have seen a little more of, another puppet highlight was Killer the dog — a side-splitting part of the Dolly Mixtures show.

Having started her ventriloquist act in 2002, Nina has spent the past decade honing her talent and performing at comedy gigs all over Britain.

Also an actress and BAFTA-nominated filmmaker, she was onstage for about an hour and support for the evening was from Pat Cahill, Chortle Best Newcomer winner 2012.

A surreal and sassy mix of stand-up and ventriloquism, Nina returns to the North West for the final date of her tour at Liverpool’s Playhouse on October 26.