Tony Law, The Lowry, February 20

EMERGING onto stage at the Lowry in a black cape wearing oversized Mickey Mouse gloves, anyone previously unaware about what a Tony Law show is all about is now crystal clear.

Some who are ignorant of surreal or absurdist humour as a comedic genre may think it is easy, that all you have to do is combine a few unrelated ideas and laughter will ensue, but very few master it.

Alongside Paul Foot and Noel Fielding, the 46-year-old Canadian is one of the pioneers of the genre.

His brand of comedy is not for everyone, which is in evidence as a couple sat near me do not return for the second half of the show.

Maybe Law attempting to play the trombone while wearing a life size horse’s head was too much.

The show features very little in the way of what people would define as jokes, but the laughter keeps on coming as Law tells a semi-improvised story about the downfall of a champion race horse, about how he invented the convoy and the tale of a 12-year-old boy who found a severed head in the woods.

A lot of the comedy comes in the delivery, as he tries to portray that there has been little in the way of planning or preparation for his set, often hiding behind his cape to provide a running commentary of how more organised comedians would be performing.

The first half is heavy on improvisation and rambling ad lib, but the second half of his show, which is named Frillemorphesis, is more story and anecdote heavy.

The nearest thing to a joke is a funny take on the man goes into a bar joke involving two elephants.

But stories about how a man who carries himself in such an absurd way on stage lives in the real world are engaging as his ramblings, including how he enjoys driving in his dangerous Citroen Xsara Picasso and walking his dog.

Brilliantly, his Mickey Mouse gloves are not referenced until the end of his set, and the complete randomness of this stylistic decision tell you all you need to know about Tony Law.

Reviewing his shows is difficult, but not as difficult as trying to explain some of his routine to friends after the gig, though that’s not a bad thing.