Komedia's Krater Comedy Club, The Basement , City Screen, York, October 6

SINCE 1994, Krater Comedy Club has become a well-loved stand up night in Brighton and Bath. Promising the UK’s best live stand up, I was intrigued to see what the Krater Comedy Club’s first night in York had to offer.

Presenting an array of upcoming acts, it was an enjoyable evening with some absolute gems. Despite the fairly well-trodden paths of porn, relationships, and unemployment, each act brought a fresh angle and brought the laughs.

Michael Fabri’s subject matter was a little risky at parts, but he quickly won the audience over despite this. His observational comedy on the jobcentre was a definite highlight. Liverpudlian act Adam Staunton’s mildly depressing anecdotes were delivered with an instantly likeable persona. Laura Lexx’s material on confusing snobbery and her increasingly racist mum was extremely personable and relatable, ensuring some knowing laughs.

The night’s unsung hero was compere Stephen Grant, who took to hosting like a duck to water. Dealing with some tricky hecklers he handled the evening expertly, keeping the audience completely on side throughout, and delivering some excellent retorts off the cuff. Chris Turner however absolutely stole the show. Starting with some intellectual (and at times, a bit lame) one-liners (I say lame, I laughed every time), he brought the house down with flawless improvised hip-hop, based off the audience’s suggestion.

If last night’s show was anything to go by, the Krater Comedy Club is a welcome addition to the York comedy scene, which I hope to see again soon.

Review by Louise Jones