THE Burning Duck Comedy Club, York’s "new alternative comedy solution", will return for its second night next Tuesday (NOV 18) at the Black Swan.

Run monthly by promoter Al Greaves upstairs at the Peasholme Green pub, the club will welcome the Gein's Family Giftshop sketch comedy troupe from Manchester, who were nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2014 EdinburghFringe Festival.

Fast paced and irreverent, Gein’s Family Giftshop have been honing their skills on the northern stand-up comedy circuit. "Already they have an enviable gag rate and a stage presence that more established groups can only dream of," says Al. "Their unique brand of gag-heavy writing and gleeful live performances have given the group a core of loyal followers."

To quote The Sunday Times: “The Manchester trio work harder and tighter than James Brown, with the kind of sensibility that would unsettle even the darkest League of Gentlemen fan.” The Skinny magazine is no less impressed: “The group’s strength lies in their awkward and strangely honest performances, self-referential without being snarky. A joy to watch, provided you don’t suffer from a nervous disposition.”

The night will be opened by rising comic turn Kiri Pritchard McLean. "When a charming stage manner is coupled with a deft, quick wit, it’s easy to see why Nottingham Comedy Festival named Welsh comic Kiri as their Breakout Act of the Year," says Al.

Two York acts will be added to the 8.15pm bill, which will be compered by master of ceremonies Sir Dickie Benson, who has been praised by Stagefright Comedy for his ‘'delightfully well observed character comedy from an immediately amenable on-stage presence with inventive material and a seemingly effortless ability to improvise".

Al already has star turns signed up for 2015, including more Edinburgh Fringe award nomineess and winners, as well as acts who have appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC1's Live At The Apollo and BBC3's Russell Howard's Good News, with further details to follow. Part of the Burning Duck's remit too will be to introduce up-and-coming performers from in and around York.

“We hope the Burning Duck will provide something for audiences who might like to watch something a bit more different, thought-provoking and joyful,” says Al. "Our debut night took place last month, featuring headline act Seymour Mace, and was very well received, with many audience members purchasing tickets after the show for the next one.

"One enthusiastic audience member even wrote on the Facebook event wall: 'Wow, wow, wow and a bit more wow!! Thank you for a brilliant night of entertainment. Burning Duck is a hidden treasure. Just don't get too popular because we want regular seats!'."

All £3 earlybird tickets for Gein's Family Giftshop have been sold but tickets for next Tuesday are still available at £5, students £4, online at burningduckcomedy.com and on the door from 8pm. Advance booking is advised, however, to guarantee a seat.