Ed Byrne's A Different Class provides a welcome laugh

---

Last week for this excellent show running for another

Although I have lived in West London for over 20 years, I have never before been to the Riverside Studios. No particular reason: they just didn't really register on my radar. Until, that is, I heard that one of my favourite comics, Ed Byrne, was doing a series of shows there. In these times of constant bad news, a bit of a laugh is definitely in order.

Ed Byrne's jokes are not fantastical, obscene or silly: he just recounts every day events in a hugely humourous fashion. From his recent wedding to his ski-ing technique, Ed makes normal life hilariously funny. The audience, a mix of ages, all seemed to be enjoying themselves. With the possible exception of the gentleman who made several trips to the bar and then the loo during the show and got a bit of an earful.

I knew Ed Byrne would be excellent but I hadn't expected his support act, Ben Hurley, to be so good, too. The New Zealand comic was a very assured performer and his 20 minute set was brilliant. I can never remember jokes so won't attempt to describe either comic's material: suffice to say I and the rest of the audience laughed throughout both acts.

People of a timorous nature needn't be worried about being singled out by either comic: just avoid the front row and sit tight during the performances and you should be left well alone.

And I will certainly be haunting the Riverside Studios from now on. With two licensed cafes, a tempting list of shows, films and exhibitions and not a kernel of popcorn in sight, I need to make up for lost time.

Caroline Villiers

3 October, 2008