AFTER a 15-year break since their first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe, The Lumberjacks are back with a vengeance.

Or maybe something a little less intimidating, because they are Canadian after all; a nation well known for its laid-back, no-stress attitude to life, a good, no-holds-barred sense of a humour and a generally endearing manner, affable to even the hardest of hearts.

The Lumberjacks’ trio of charming Canadian-born comedians are Stewart Francis, Glenn Wool and Craig Campbell, each with their unique delivery, and so last Friday’s show promised something for everyone.

The stage was set with a screen presenting the eager audience with a host of Canadian-born stars, or “people you thought were American”, before Francis made his entry. A regular on BBC2’s Mock The Week, Francis is a comedian hell bent on a relentless barrage of one-liners. Although they went down well, the contributions of Wool and Campbell were more than welcome too.

Wool, who targets subjects of religious fundamentalism and political unrest, and takes a compelling look at society with his incredibly sharp wit, was a huge hit with the audience, confidently hailing from the Bill Hicks camp of comedians.

Campbell was the most relaxed of the three, taking the less than full auditorium in his stride and improvising a plenty of his set after discovering there was a fellow Canadian in the audience.

The night provided a great contrast of styles, and The Lumberjacks are a must see for any fan of the stand-up scene.

- Gemma Rossi