Imagine yourself in a darkened room, sitting on a hard chair, with a glass of bubbles and a forehead so smooth speed skaters could compete on it.

​A man walks on stage. He is wearing a suit jacket and arranges the microphone as though it never belonged there. Twisting the poll and kicking the legs as though forcing a laden clothes airier to stay upright in the wind.

​Someone nearby stifles a laugh. The man looks at the audience and stops. He eyes the room with a "What are you all doing here?" expression.

​It's as though everyone has stumbled into his bedroom, and they expect to be entertained. Standing there in silence he suspects he has nothing to say. Then he reaches into a pocket and withdraws a piece of paper.

It's a story of his latest failed date.

People seem to find these funny, he thinks. I'll read one to them.

Dating Stories Volume 1 is a collection of ten comedy routines performed on stage in England, Iceland and Australia.