Little do some people know that a weekly dose of comedy is to be enjoyed at cider tavern and restaurant The Orchard, on Blundell Street, tucked away from the usual city centre rabble.
This week's line up included a last minute addition in Reginald D Hunter, who added a date to his appearances in Liverpool's Slaughterhouse and The Slug and Lettuce, due to popular demand. The line up included a fairly crass Hull comedian, who has since moved to glamorous Birkenhead, and bespectacled wannabe time traveller (but only into the past), Geordie Seymour Mace.
Despite keeping us waiting for over half an hour, all is forgiven as Reginald takes to the stage, the love in the room immediate. He oozes charisma, dressed down in jeans and a long black leather coat that wouldn't have been out of place in the Matrix, he's so effortlessly cool he doesn't even seem to know it.
As expected, with his UK reputation built upon apperances on Have I Got News For You, Reginald treats his audience like adults.
Discussing the Recession, Gordon Brown and the Economy without fear we may not be interested, largely because his point of view is always argued with passion, coherence and an acerbic wit which makes him compelling viewing.
Having spent the past two months in America, Reginald notes the differences between our cultures, remarking that "in L.A even the homeless moisturise".
He summed up the British sense humour with the brilliantly succinct description: "Clever, but a little bit f***ed up."
A superb routine equating Tiger Woods' infidelities to the female obsession with shoes cannot fail to make females view Tiger's predicament in an entirely different light.
Reginald playfully explored the differences between men and women from a delightfully fresh, slightly f***ed up, perspective.
With a UK solo tour planned this summer, I am fearful of destroying the gags for those not yet priviledged to see his act. Be sure to book months in advance because his new show, to be interestingly titled "Trophy Nigger", is certain to sell out.
The evening's laughter was eased along by local legend Chris Cairns. I describe him as a legend because, despite having heard the majority of his material at least 7 times, he still makes me laugh. And this time around, I was the designated driver and stone cold sober. Plus, he gave Click Liverpool a plug on stage so I've got to be nice about him. In all seriousness, Chris possesses a genuine talent for combining his natural "cheeky scouser" traits with the skills all good comperes require. Getting the audience involved, letting the rowdy have their say, then turning them into his bitches and keeping them on a short leash.
Second up, the Hull comedian, whose name escapes me (sorry, but it's probably for the best), did indeed have a tough act to follow. Had he been first up on stage, the audience may have been more receptive, but it was unfortunate his material was simply not up to scratch after Reginald's laugh-a-minute routine.
Discussing the perils of Birkenhead's single mums and the horrors of falling unconscious in a "grab a granny" nightclub were neither new or amusing, and in part, nothing short of vile. But his amiable, fast paced delievery was enough to hold our attention until the next opportunity to get to the bar.
Thankfully, our failure to laugh was not because Reginald had made us peak too soon, proved by Geordie looney Seymour Mace as he sauntered up to the mic.
A dishevelled appearance, oddball mannerisms and his assertion that we may recognise him as the 'bloke who stands across the street from your house' was met with roaring laughter. I'm still twitching the curtains to make sure he's not out there. Weirdly, I sort of wish he was.
His unique take on the world went down a storm, and Seymour knows he's good. Beneath his geeky persona is a confidence that assures the audience they're in safe hands.
Time travel, Facebook, Hitler, Dale Winton and "people that stink who sit next to you on the train" all get a good airing, with Seymour's set reaching an hilarious climax in which he shares his life long dream to join The Pips as a backing singer to Gladys Knight.
Set to music (when the sound guy eventually found the right button), danced and mimed his way to stardom, it was a gleeful end to a fantastic night of mirth.
The Orchard, Blundell Street, usually a bar and restaurant, lends itself as a wonderfully intimate venue for comedy on Sunday nights - ring the venue for further details on upcoming shows - 0151 709 3060.
Laughterhouse comedy serves up laughs every weekend at The Slaughterhouse, Fenwick Street and The Slug and Lettuce, North John Street. Tickets are available online at www.laughterhousecomedy.com or on 0151 227 5946.
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