If you go and see Dara, make sure you are in your seat and ready to go - once he has started, he won't stop.

The quick fire comic was 15 minutes into the show before I realised he was only on to introduce the warm up act.

He started (as most comedians do) with: "It's nice to be here", before being honest and telling us that this is what he says at the beginning of every gig and he never really means it.

Dara O'Briain

Sitting at the front of a standup show act is always risky and Dara does make the most of his front row.

It does help though if you have a responsive audience and the Wedgewood crowd were in good voice, perhaps with the exception of the couple at the side who looked a bit disinterested - they were probably struggling to keep up with Dara's quick wit.

The show featured some brand new material and some that debuted at the 2003 Edinburgh Festival in Dara's critically acclaimed show.

The former children's TV presenter told us about burying his Republican granny's funeral during the World Cup, how much he hates children and why, how to shut up a doctor in front of their friends and why not go on a "bunsen burner and a shopping basket" (balloon flight) for a safari.

A word for the support, Simon Evans, a self-proclaimed cross between Rigsby and Sandy Toksvig, (and as soon as he says it you really can see and hear it!).

Simon has a softly spoken voice and the accent, in case we were wondering, is "educated" we are told.

He has the smooth dryness of Jeremy Hardy and some really good material.

Both Dara and Simon provided two and a half hours of great comedy, it would have been a perfect night if the Wedgwood Rooms had put the heating on.

What did you think of Dara O'Briain? E-mail us at [email protected].