2ND MAY.

We've been suffering because the last gig, this one and (oh dear) the next one all occur following bank holidays. People have had too much fun by the time they get to Tuesday and aren't looking for any more. However, Long live comedy last night was still reasonably well attended - we aren't breaking records, but the room isn't huge, and it is so nice in there. The audience were happy to relax.

Due to a couple of last minute drop offs we had time to play with, so the acts that were on got to cut loose a little and I hope they enjoyed themselves.

Murray James was on first, he proved a breath of fresh air as he mused about the gramatical and spelling nightmare which is Toys 'R' us and explained his haircut by telling us he'd been raised by wolves. A new face on the scene with a touch of the new surrealism of the mighty boosh, some good material, and nicely different from the tired old knob gags we sometimes hear.

Chris Martin (no, not that one) did a nice set with some old material, some new, and some very smart ad-libbing. Highlights included him 'borrowing' a prosthetic arm and the unusual reason for being bullied at his school - two first names (They obviously weren't Seinfeld fans.) He scared the audience a little with the ghost that was on stage. It's ok, it turned out to be a bottle of blue MD 20/20 under a sheet- our prizes just get better.

Paul Gerrard, already a long live comedy stalwart, came on to try some new material. This is about his third appearance doing all new material - in the coming months we'll have him back with the pick of the bunch which should be a storming set. Paul's gag of the night for me -'If a dripping tap makes you want to pee, does a gas leak make you fart?'

The final section was a mix of Pete and Callum. Pete did part compere, part new material bit. The best bits were Pete wondering why the toilets have the sophisticated detail of a multi volume flush, but no paper or doors; and a critique of the new Australian tourism adverts with the slogan 'Where the bloody hell are ya?'.

Callum did his grade A material for us in preparation of a trip to manchester tonight, this was the first time Callum's done this set at LLC. Good stuff, and even though we have seen him umpteen times doing this set at other venues there are some lines that hit home every time. Charvers in west side story is becoming a classic.

As for the competition, we went with 'your favourite euphamism'. Though Making Rope for the Navy (plop-plops) came close, the winner was Hand-to-Gland Combat (an act of filthy onanism). And who can argue with that?

So, a great night, the first use of our new (hiss free) PA system, and another lovely, friendly audience. Next time (16th May) we have a job lot of comics coming up from Manchester, and I can assure you there are some crackers in there. Come early to the next one to avoid disappointment.

Oh- We forgot the camera this time, so just a nice pic from last time, audience member big Pete triumphantly grasping his blue nun.