IT'S generally considered bad form for a compere to outshine his headline acts.

But Dan Willis, master of ceremonies at The Other Side Comedy Club, at York's City Screen, managed it with aplomb.

He worked the audience, picking on some on the front row, but never excessively, and he ran with some of the bizarre responses his probing produced.

John Simmit, whose starring role was as Dipsy in the Teletubbies, generated plenty of goodwill. He seemed like a nice guy and I was willing him on. His set had plenty of self- deprecating jokes about his Jamaican and Brummy heritage, which got a good few laughs.

Beyond this, however, plenty of his material seemed well-worn. In particular, a gag about the Danish Muslim cartoon scandal - how long ago was that? - was well past its sell-by date.

Simmit's description of the audience as being in the "Comedy Club stage of life" because they were not out night-clubbing was strange and not really suited to a Sunday night slot.

The final act, Paul B Edwards, was a complete contrast in style. Bearing a Teddy Boy-style quiff and an electric guitar, he strummed his way through some hilarious takes on popular tunes.

A song about his wife making breakfast - I Predict A Fry Up, by "Kaiser Chefs" - had the room in stitches.

His comedy worked best in musical form - some of his longer stories fell slightly flat. It was a polished set, but Dan Willis's final flourish was a welcome return.