What do you get if you mix a pre-Christmas Saturday night comedy crowd and a line up that includes Compere Susan Morrison, Glaswegians Gary Little and Kevin Bridges, Englishman Russell Howard and of course the most manic of Irish comic geniuses Jason Byrne? The answer should be obvious, an evening that would make the most Scrooge-like person, i.e. me, to be thoroughly exhausted by the cracker of an evening.

Gallous Ms Morrison set the tone of the fare we were set to receive with an opening set of audience interaction using her occasionally vitriolic wit to take the mickey out of several audience members, all in the best of taste!!!

Newcomer Gary Little opened the extravaganza and although he is relatively new to the game, handled the audience like a veteran and had some really good material to boot.

The next on the bill was the other Glaswegian a very young Kevin Bridges, and if he is not a superstar in the making, then I have never seen one!! The guy was brilliant, he had good material and his comic timing was to die for. I really can’t wait to see more of this exceptional young comedian.

The penultimate act was Russell Howard. I had previously only seen Russell as the compere of the 2004 Pleasance Press launch and I was quite impressed with him then, and now having seen far more, will certainly be adding his name to my list for next year, that’s assuming Sheila doesn’t grab the ticket first.

Then came the headline act. What can I say about Jason Byrne that I haven’t said before? I have now had the privilege of seeing him perform at least six times and each time the guy cracks me up, and it appears I am not alone, as the man had the entire audience in the palm of his hand for his entire set. His material is always different, but it always has one common denominator, it’s thigh slappingly funny and is delivered as only he can.

Jason assured me that he will be returning to the Fringe again in 2005, so do yourselves a favour and book your ticket the second they become available.

A quick word for the Stand Comedy Club. This organisation provide excellent comedy at an affordable price virtually everyday of the year in both Edinburgh and Glasgow, so if you are into comedy and live in the vicinity of either city check out their programme on either www.thestand.co.uk or on pages 337 of Cefax on Channel 4,you will not be disappointed. Also thanks from Sheila to the staff, she was feeling unwell early on in the evening and they kept an eye on her till she felt better, we both thought this was a nice touch.  Thank you all!