DAN Atkinson returns to his former manor to play the Hyena Lounge Comedy Club in The Basement at City Screen, York, on Sunday night.

“He’s known and loved by the people of York (at least that’s what he thinks!) having spent five years as resident compere, promoter and founder of The Other Side Comedy Club,” says Hyena Lounge promoter Toby Clouston-Jones.

“His material is sharp, funny, and there’s lots of it. You’ll never get the same show twice – it’s genuinely fresh and unpredictable. Full of hope, vigour and vitality, he’s a shambolic genius who is hopelessly likeable and quite out of touch with real life.”

Atkinson has put his own stand-up career on hold for the past couple of years, having been head writer and sketch director for four series of Russell Howard’s Good News show on BBC3. “It seems that the lure of the stage is getting ever stronger, however, and he plans to move back into full-time live work at the end of July,” says Toby.

Joining Dan on the 7.30pm bill will be one of his best mates, Welsh stand-up and writer Lloyd Langford, who is a regular panellist on BBC1’s Ask Rhod Gilbert. Tickets are available at £10, concessions £8, on 0871 902 5726 and on the door from 7pm.