If the selection of stand-ups they’ve sent to Edinburgh is anything to go by, Newcastle University is an untapped well of comic talent. As compère, Marc Smethurst quickly filled the room with an atmosphere of warmth and energy. First act Charlie Rowley gave a polished, confident performance, skilfully moving from chatting about the elderly to drunken university escapades. This was a topic taken up by Alan Fletcher, a fast-talking storyteller with a fresh take on the issues of his native Belfast. Runner-up at the Chortle Student Comedy Awards, Jonny Pelham’s dark set about spurned love and facial surgery managed to tread the fine line between comedy and tragedy, thanks mainly to his likeable self-deprecation. Good stuff.

Buffs Club (RAOB), 4-25 Aug, 8.45pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Holly Close]