DUNCAN Oakley is very naughty and quite rude, at least on stage.

"This cheerfully childish behaviour belies his credentials as a seasoned professional show-off," says master of ceremonies Dan Atkinson, reassuring Sunday's punters at The Other Comedy Club in York.

"Duncan has been a musician, composer and performer for 20 years, the last five of them as a full-time stand-up, and he wins over audiences wherever a healthy blast of rock idiocy needs to be administered. He'll blow you away as he powers out a deft blend of stupidity and truly impressive musicianship (he's nifty on a guitar), and you'll quickly warm to his easy confidence and good natured banter.

Oakley will be assisted by his loyal band of imaginary friends and anthropomorphised instruments, in particular the lovely Maurice the Fender Strat.

"He'll take you on an exuberant and educational rock 'n' roll journey, exploring with relish the horrors and delights found in, on and around the human body and beyond, on a ceaseless quest to find your inner child," says MC Dan. "He'll locate it for you, guaranteed, and then entertain it with a quick song. Any questions?"

Er no, Dan, that's all perfectly clear, and so too is his assessment of Sunday's support act, Perrier Newcomer nominee Natalie Haynes. "For a loved-up vegetarian, partial to Dick Van Dyke on roller-skates, Natalie seems irredeemably cruel," he says. "She's a cynical ex-teacher freed to set the world's morons to rights, and she coats her acidic observations with just enough sweetness to make audiences feel fine about adopting her prejudices."

Dan has not finished yet: "Watching Haynes is like watching a motorcycle accident and admiring the bike. It's an uneasy, intense experience as she laughs and grins at the risqu. She is a personality, not a performer - and what a personality."

Rodney Marques from Manchester fills the open spot. "He'll be telling it like it is. Oh yes," says the MC, restricting himself to one comment. Doors open at 7.30pm for Sunday's 8pm start in the Basement Bar of City Screen, York. Tickets: £7, concessions £6, on 01904 541144; booking recommended.

Updated: 16:25 Thursday, April 14, 2005