HURRYING through York’s freezing city centre is worth it to receive a warm welcome at the Black Swan, as the Burning Duck Comedy Club goes from strength to strength showcasing alternative comedy.

MC Joby Mageean does an excellent job of bringing energy to the room without resorting to bouncing off the walls. His audience interaction is light and never drags, with a venture into ventriloquism proving an absolute highlight of his compere work.

Rich Massara has an engaging cocky approach. Whilst he is by no means a gentle act, his subject material isn’t offensive. Self-deprecatory punch lines imply his persona’s not all as cocky as we might think, at turns endearing or screaming at the audience. Similarly honest is Sam Potter, whose opening gambit is surprisingly blue and off-kilter. Her set errs on the side of bitter, and when not so self-conscious on stage she provides some good laughs.

David Callaghan’s personable approach results in some excellent punch lines. Callaghan’s confidence on stage mixed with his fantastically silly concepts bring some familiar stand up topics to life in a highly entertaining payoff.

Vince Atta is outstanding, an absolute stormer of an act who had the audience roaring with laughter. With a preference for old-school hip hop he raps about modern pop culture. His use of the loop pedal is masterful and showcases a double strength of musical talent and comedic genius: the overall effect is entrancing. Definitely a name to listen out for.