WHY aren't all history teachers like Mark Steel? I learnt more about the French Revolution in the audience of his show last night than I did in three years of history lessons at the hands of Abergele High School's Mr Jenkins.

A comedy routine about slavery, crushing poverty and beheadings doesn't sound funny.

But trust me, Steel brought to life an uninspiring topic with more humour, gusto and swearing than any history teacher has drawing hilarious relevant parallels with modern times.

In between telling the story of the storming of the Bastille, Steel peppered his performance with observations on modern life.

He spoke about Welsh people playing Countdown. "I'll have a consonant, another consonant... seven more consonants" and his home town of Swanley, Kent.

"Nothing happens. Comparing it to Burnley is like saying to Nelson Mandela I've had a bit of bother with the Old Bill too'.

As you might expect from someone who admitted he felt like a bumbling academic at times, he'd done his homework and had even researched a weaver's strike in Burnley.

And although most of the routines were scripted, he had no problem coming out with off-the-cuff gags, encouraging the audience to join in.

With an audience of just over 100 Burnley Mechanics was a bit bare, which was a shame, and Steel seemed to feel it, running out of steam a bit towards the end.

But that was only because he put so much enery into the performance.

Without doubt, Steel is one of the most intelligent well-informed comedians around.

Not many people can make you think and laugh at the same time.