Comedy of the week: Russell Brand: The Messiah Complex, various venues

Contradictions: Comedian Russell Brand

Most of us still don't quite know how to feel about Russell Brand: one minute he's the irksome epitome of strutting narcissism (granted, there's probably a bit of jealousy at play, the swarthy devil); the next, like some god of the liberal-minded, he's making clear-eyed proclamations on the Woolwich murders and scything down Hugo Boss for their Nazi connections.

Such contradictions should sit well with The Messiah Complex, Brand's tour around Che Guevara, Jesus, Malcolm X and other such flawed icons – including, presumably, himself.

Symphony Hall, Birmingham, Mon & Tue; O2 Apollo, Manchester, Wed & Thur; Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, Fri (all tickets russellbrand.tv)