Andi Osho’s numerous TV appearances made her a comforting choice as compere on Saturday night – the somewhat sparse audience seemed reassured that at least they’d get someone they recognised in this “taster” evening of different comedians.

The first act, Irishman Andrew Maxwell, had a slow start and the atmosphere felt tensely quiet as he repeatedly asked, “What’s going on, Brighton?” – hardly a question easily answerable en masse. But after a village hall-style debate on the merits of both Brighton’s big wheel and the i360, as well as their current state of construction, Maxwell warmed up and got the more uncertain members of the audience onside.

Local boy Simon Evans’s crisp enunciation followed, terribly English by all accounts, and got the evening started proper, although a tirade of abuse about the Welsh ran for a little too long. He made up for it though with his sharp wit and comical creations such as “obesicals” (mobility scooters for the overweight).

After the interval, the “yet to be announced” act was Phill Jupitus, also doing his own show that night at the Corn Exchange. He cut a lot slimmer figure onstage having lost six stone this year, but his graphic descriptions and downbeat style seemed to bring the show down too, losing some of the energy built up at the end of the first half.

Finally, Alun Cochrane finished the show, and had a tough job lifting the mood. His material – amusing anecdotes about dogs and cups of tea, told in a friendly and easygoing style – wasn’t groundbreaking, but finished the evening on a more contented note.