Joe Lycett and Andrew Ryan - An Hour of Humour

The Free Fringe can be quite a torrid affair. Swamped with crowds of hopefuls, it is only after circulating a few of these gigs that you start to realise the gulf between the amateurs and the pros. You may stumble upon some rare gems, but in my opinion the clear diamonds in the rough of it all are the up and coming Joe Lycett and Andrew Ryan.

The show is a case of two acts rather than a double act, with Andrew and Joe giving half an hour each of their very best. Irishman Andrew is up first. Right from the get go he has an air of professionalism and confidence that would make his peers sick with jealousy. Tearing into the Royal Bank of Scotland, Ryan discloses good reasons why there is a link between him buying a wide screen TV, and a global financial meltdown. His material may be slightly traditional (ranting, girlfriend issues etc.), but the skill of his passionate and rapid delivery are what takes it the extra mile.

Joe Lycett steps into the arena for the second half, most likely wading into a sea of Ryan's sweat. The first shock is how much of a contrast to Andrew he is. His fairly posh vernacular and slightly camp aurora seem a million miles away from the first half hour. Nevertheless, it does not take long to be swept aside by his charm and the ease with which he floats through a set of impressions, tales of the middle class and failed dates. Like Ryan, he also comes off a seasoned pro. The best thing about Joe is that you get the feeling he is the same man off stage, which is in itself a delightful thought.

The two, no doubt, will appeal to different audiences. Although Andrew Ryan admits to struggling to woo the older ladies, they have certainly had no trouble creating a buzz - the room was so packed that night, it was in breach of public safety. If the comedy Gods are going to play fair, Andrew and Joe deserve to be massive.

Interviewed by Chris Aitken 24/08/2010

Joe Lycett and Andrew Ryan: An Hour of Humour
The White Horse
17:15, until 30th August