Of the six acts hoping to get closer to the professional circuit summit, Australian Nick Elleray should certainly give up his admin day job (and assured us he had).

He placidly delivered his self deprecating observations on ageing and the job market like a silent missile that detonated explosions of laughter from the audience.

The showcase of new comedy was compered by the talented Paul F Taylor. Anthropomorphism was the thread running through his improvisations as he contorted himself into hamsters, pigs, monkeys and sloths possessed with strange accents and surprising skill sets.

Penella Mellor built herself a platform from which the dark dark thoughts that every modern mother thinks could be aired and not result in her being investigated by social services.

To start with, her sweet, shy demeanour fooled us into thinking she lacked confidence but it only served to contrast and highlight the devastating revelations.

Other acts included Brightonian Aidan Goatley, Londoner Mia Lane and Jay Cowle who I would like to have seen more as himself and not an amalgamation of traits from other comics.

The headliner, Pat Cahill was distinctly vaudeville with an obscure performance of alternative war songs.

Three stars