The Big Comedy Gala in aid of the STV Appeal, 16 Sep @ The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen

Compere for the evening, Billy Kirkwood, bounds onstage and immediately bolsters the room's energy. John McRuvie is first up with a set mainly dealing with family life and the woes of being an Aberdeen FC supporter. Mark McDonald is introduced by Kirkwood and outed as a Member of Scottish Parliament, which earns him a slightly pantomime frosty reception. The audience, however, soon warm to his self-effacing charm. Ed Patrick highlights a disturbingly funny sex scene in the Pat Barker novel Regeneration and splits the crowd with some gender-based material. The originally named Jamie Jamieson tells of his mission to become known as 'the best thing from Stonehaven'. However he may have a while to go before he takes the title currently held by the battered Mars Bar.

Star of the second half is Michael Redmond, most widely recognised from his appearance in Father Ted. His deadpan humour has the room in stitches as does one particular exchange with an audience member about the colour of his 'fascinating' eyebrows. As the night was in aid of the STV Appeal, one of the channel's news anchors agreed to try his hand at stand-up for the first time. The self-professed autocue monkey, Chris Harvey, told stories from life as a local celebrity and, unexpectedly, his newsreader-specific observations go down very well. The show is closed by Graham Mackie; part woodwork teacher, part comedian. His material, notably a routine about his failed attempt to buy his daughter the correct make-up, is met with great delight.

The warm atmosphere throughout proves that the night is a great success, raising over £1000 for the good cause.