LESS a comedy club bill, more a mini football team, the Other Side galloped into October with a line-up ideally suited to the squad rotation system.

Government spin doctor by day, stand-up comedian by night, Ayesha Hazarika provided a steady stream of gentle laughs.

With a name that, if uttered quickly enough sounds like a magician's spell (or a long, satisfying sneeze), she followed her political nose and took us through corridors of power into dining rooms of deception and kitchens of cover-up. Geordie laughter merchant Mike Milligan's smutty set explained why he voiced Sid The Sexist in a Viz video. Fair to say, Germaine Greer may not have raised her glass of Aussie Chardonnay in hysterical fits of glee.

Newcomers Matt Green and Lee Nelson proved a mixed bag. Nelson presented a one-dimensional London geezer. His set only gathered pace when the audience provided the laughs. Green, however, is one to watch. Youthful looks belied the fact he confidently reeled off classy gags like an old pro.

Last up was the fantastically named Sully O Sullivan, who probably never suffered a shortage of playground nicknames. Sull, Sully, the Sullster, Sullo, that guy with the crazy hair - whatever those kids called him - bounded around the stage like a man ablaze.

Updated: 10:51 Monday, October 04, 2004