Julia Sutherland & Friends

The sheer variety offered by Julia Sutherland and her assorted friends keep this show fresh and lively, from the gradually increasing whorishness of the hostess to rapping neds, straight-faced Americans and drunk trolley boys. If the quality of the gags tends to fluctuate, there are nevertheless enough laughs on offer to please most.

Sutherland is a filthy-mouthed glampuss, who starts the show by chatting with the audience and building atmosphere amongst the disappointingly sparse crowd. A natural presenter and amusing anecdotalist, she sets the tone for an undeniably weird bunch of comedians, who each bring something unique to the evening.

A confident turn from the Wee Man, who inhabits the souls of a thousand neds, is followed by Sarah Cassidy, a quiet wee American with hilarious views on British television and cheese terrorism. Richard Melvin's self-deprecating Englishness works well, while Darren Connell's ebullience straddles the line between infectious and irritating. Stealing the show is Elaine Malcolmson, a droll Northern Irishwoman with an impressively genuine hatred for Christine Bleakley, which she delivers with lovely comic timing.

A fine selection of voices and characters; well worth a peek.