THE sun shone brightly but, sadly, the crowds stayed behind the clouds at City Screen last night.

Maybe it was the prospect of a night in a sun-starved basement. Perhaps punters were saving hard-earned brass for York Comedy Festival.

Whatever the excuses, a turn-out of just over 50 was a shame, as the badly-burned hordes missed a blistering headline act from sunny Scouser Brendan Riley.

Brash, energetic and frothing confidence, Riley immediately ditched the microphone, giving his whirlwind performance a more personable feel. His "commonsense" take on politics was refreshing, calling for a party of Liverpool hen night drunks to quiz Saddam Hussein. Riley also spoke of his shock that his home city will become Capital of Culture.

The famous lyric "imagine no possessions" should be posted above the luggage carousel to greet Euro delegates at John Lennon International Airport, quipped Riley, and a hot and bothered York raised a wry smile.

Given the balmy conditions earlier in the day, York barely needed any warm-up acts.

Luckily it was a muggy night as both impersonator Stefano Paolini and Teesside newcomer Jonathan Clare failed to send temperatures soaring.

Paolini's human beatbox and rapping tricks were impressive, but some of his Italy-inspired gags had been left in the sun too long. Nervy Clare got his biggest laugh from a talking Mr T doll, leaving York grateful that Riley, a member of the comedy A-Team, saved the day.

Updated: 09:15 Monday, May 17, 2004