NORTH Manchester’s “most reliable” comedian, Phil Ellis, will headline the next night of York’s new alternative comedy showcase, the Burning Duck Comedy Club, at the Black Swan Inn, Peasholme Green, on February 10.

“Deliciously unhinged, Phil Ellis’s performances are entirely unique,” says promoter and fellow comedy turn Al Greaves. “Audiences quickly become enraptured by his maverick charm, ability to think on his feet and bizarre schemes. There is always a slight twist to his set, making each appearance fresh and thrilling.

“Phil is also the star and mastermind of breakthrough children’s show Funz and Gamez, the undisputed anarchic cult hit of the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe, which won the Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2014 Panel Prize.”

The night will be opened by Jayne Edwards, Manchester comedian, semi-professional bodybuilder and “nation’s beefheart”. “She’s a prolific performer on the north-west comedy circuit, who brings an awkward charm to her performance,” says Al.

The master of ceremonies will be Jack Evans with his surreal humour and political satire, and the evening also finds a spot for Tom Little, who has been performing stand-up since July 2013.

“Last year, Tom was a finalist in the BBC Radio New Comedy Award, broadcast live from the Comedy Store on BBC Radio 2,” says Al.

“Kiri Pritchard, alias McLean of Geins Family Gift Shop, our November headliners, has picked Tom as her ‘one to watch’ in 2015, telling The Skinny magazine that Tom has ‘an utterly unique world perspective and that’s the common factor of really superb stand-ups’.”

Looking forward to Phil Ellis contributing to Burning Duck’s “relentless campaign to destroy 2015 with its alternative comedy solution”, Al says: “I’m very excited to have booked Phil to headline this month. I saw his show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year and it was probably my favourite – along with another show by our headline comedian for next month, who we will announce on the night.

“Jayne Edwards is also one of my favourite new acts and I’m looking forwards to seeing Tom Little again after I last saw him winning The Glang Show in Sheffield, which is ‘Earth’s most prestigious comedy anti-competition’, devised by comedian Sean Morley.”

Burning Duck’s fourth night took place earlier this month, featuring sketch comedians Heavy Petting. Earlier headliners Geins Family Gift Shop are to appear as guest stars in the second series of Inside No 9, the BBC comedy show that features Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith from League Of Gentlemen.

The February 10 gig will be sponsored by Copper Dragon. Doors open at 7.45pm for the 8pm start; tickets cost £5, NUS/online £4, on the door or at burningduck.comedy.com