Another superb and diverse three-act bill of comic talent graced the stage at The Apex for Fat Cat's latest sold-out comedy club. The sophisticated and urbane Tom Craine acted as compere for the evening and quickly had the audience in the palm of his hand. With an ever growing profile as a writer and performer it's only a matter of time before he becomes a household name. Unfortunately, due to the constraints of the evening, his time on stage was limited but he made a big impression and I eagerly look forward to seeing him do a full set sometime.

Billed as a 'Mind reader who can't read minds' Chris Cox has a unique act that comes across as part Derren Brown and part naughty schoolboy but is much smarter and much much funnier. His interaction with and manipulation of the audience was nothing less than masterful, working brilliantly with the whole auditorium and not just the volunteers on stage with him. In fact, he was at his best when dealing with some spectacularly unexpected remarks and his improvised banter got some huge laughs.

After several years away it is great to welcome Sean Hughes back onto the comedy stage for a stand-up set that had people laughing and gasping in equal measure. Always on the edge and with a fierce intelligence, he channels something of the spirit of the late great Bill Hicks and you can see why the two were friends. Acting as a devils advocate he pushed the audience further and further but always with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. The throwaway caveat “It’s only words” was said several times but Hughes is way too sharp a comedian to fully subscribe to that and his blistering material both provokes and amuses. An inspired and dazzling performer.

Review by Paul Monkhouse