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From the moment Seann Walsh walked on stage, he made it clear that he was glad to be back in Brighton. He took the audience through random topics, including the Brighton Wheel, working out at the gym, Brighton’s infamous London Road, hangovers, embarrassing bus and train journeys, childhood and the computer games we all loved so much. His energetic enthusiasm had the audience in fits of laughter throughout the entire evening, barely allowing us to come up for air between his reminiscing and jokes. A thoroughly enjoyable, laughter-filled evening and a great pick me up.

Corn Exchange, Brighton Dome, 22 October
Rating:
Claire Peerless

Rising star, Josh Widdicombe, off of 8 of 10 Cats and Mock the Week, took the stage to a packed theatre at The Old Market. The grumpy young man concentrated on a mix of personal anecdotes and observational universal material that anyone could get on board with. Horseshoe shaped toilet seats, shopping in Argos, and that dish people have for used teabags were all subjected to close comedy scrutiny. There was no overall theme to the show, just an hour of quality stand up. And the crowd left happy and content from a great night of laughter.

The Old Market, 21 October
Rating:
Jim Holland

If there’s one word to describe John and his material it’s ‘intelligent’. John opened with the topic animals, including his already-stressed cat Edward, whose day just got a little bit worse when probed up the rear by the vet (cue John’s lasting impression). Other topics included his profession as a German teacher and how he feels the language will never be as beautiful as Italian, English and French. The word ‘Brustwarz’ literally translates as ‘breast-wart’, or as we say, ‘nipple’. Closing his show John wanted audience members to take away the sound his cat made and do it in the office on Monday without explanation. A show full of in-depth, droll and dry one-liners, it’s clear to see why John is one of the UK’s most respected stand ups.

Brighton Dome, Pavilion Theatre, 22 October
Rating:
Laura Burgess

American-born Des Bishop took the compere duties for the last Best of the Fest show in brilliant style; berating a young couple on a date (poor souls!) and turning harrowing life stories into rib-splitting jokes.

Pete Firman took the prize for the ‘Heir To The Paul Daniels Dynasty’. His biting humour and panache for quick magic was very entertaining, despite being a little old hat. Whilst John Molony stole the show with a classic stand up set about life’s sweet ironies.

Following a rather weak slot by Carl Donolley, Brightonian Sean Walsh closed the show in an energetic style, throwing himself across the stage; the crowd laughing all the way.

Concert Hall, The Dome, 21 October
Rating:
Woodrow Whyte