York’s newest pub is game for a laugh; MAXINE GORON reports from the inaugural comedy night at The Hop.

HOW many comedians does it take to change a light bulb? Five and counting, if this week’s comedy gig at The Hop is anything to go by.

Each comic taking to the stage at the Fossgate venue commented on how the giant lamp hanging from the middle of the glass atrium was blocking out the stage lights.

Funnyman Tom Wrigglesworth – he of the Sheffield accent and regular radio and TV appearances – made more merriment about the décor of York’s new pub, notably the giant picture frames containing tiny prints and so exposing a sea of red brick in between.

Besides the interior design of the pub, Wrigglesworth poked fun at his own appearance. He is tall and skinny, with a large nose and a mop of thick, dark curls, and dressed in bright blue half-mast trousers, pointy shoes and a maroon red duffle coat – imagine Dr Who being put through a mangle and you get the picture.

He took issue with signs on London Underground that declare ticket inspectors “look just like you”. He mused if that were the case the question he would be asking his doppelganger was “where do you buy trousers that fit”.

John Gavin (former Scottish comedian of the year) was the other big draw for The Hop’s first comedy evening, which will become a regular monthly slot in the new year. The pub, owned by Ossett Brewery, also has a pizza oven and so can offer the unusual attraction of a night of pizza and comedy for £15. Tickets for the comedy alone are a tenner.

Compere Silky has been running comedy events at The Hop in Wakefield for the past few years; he gets the most out of his acts – Wrigglesworth and Gavin were shuttled between both venues on Wednesday night.

Holding court between the two main acts were two female comics: newcomer Dotty Winters, a 35-year-old mum making jokes about the Kafkaesque adoption process, and 30-year-old Harriet Dyer, a Cornish live wire, who jumps around the stage as if there are ants in her skin-tight red trousers, and whose subject matter is just as scattergun.

When I catch up with the pair during a break in the show, they tell me that being a woman in a male-dominated industry can be a bonus.

“It is better being a woman,” says Harriet. “It’s not as competitive and promoters like to book women to balance the bill.”

Both women welcome new comedy nights such as the one at The Hop to give up-and-coming talent a chance to cut their teeth.

Dotty is a prime example. She has done about 80 gigs, trying to manage three a week. Sharing a bill with the likes of Wrigglesworth and Gavin is a learning opportunity, she says. “It’s great to get to watch other comedians and learn from them. Tonight, I didn’t stand in the light, and that was a mistake.”

Harriet has stopped worrying about having a bad night. “I’ve been booed off stage before and it’s made me not so scared. The only thing that could be worse is if somebody was to punch you on the nose.”

“No one actually dies on stage,” says Dotty. “You might die at the wheel on the way home because you are knackered. But you have got to keep it in perspective.”

Silky says the comedy nights are a great vehicle for new talent, but also a chance to bring some of the best in the field to York. He is already working on line-ups for next year. Tickets for the next show, on Wednesday, February 5, are already on sale. The line-up will include Matt Green and Ray Peacock.

Wonder if they can change a light bulb?

• Find out more at killforaseat.com Tickets available from The Hop on 01904 541466.