Good to be back at the Bradlaugh for a sold out show with a top line-up. Our host for the evening was Jason Stampe, a jovial chap who kept things moving smartly and mined some great laughs out of the modestly drinking 24-year-olds and the Amazon Van Man and family in the front row. During the course of the evening we also heard about his experiences as a comedian on cruise ships – having seen many such shows on cruises, my heart went out to him –and his battles for supremacy at home with his son. An MC who has loads of good material as well as interaction with the audience? Jason Stampe’s your man.

Our first act was Paddy Young, who had garnered lots of splendid reviews at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Delightfully self-deprecating, Paddy Young delivers his material as though he knows he’s going to go down badly, but that’s far from the truth. He has some very clever ideas about the showers at the gym, the differences between landlords and landladies, and a cheap alternative to heating one’s flat.His opening material about Huel went over the heads of 90% of the audience (ours included) – but when we got it, we got it. His interactions with the crowd were sharp with a slight air of danger, but his overall stage persona is very funny and engaging. He’s clearly going places!

Next up was Chin Wang, born in China, now a Brit, with some beautiful comic observations on the vagaries of the English language, to which she returns regularly throughout her set. She has excellent material on the cultural differences between the two countries, including the desirability to get tanned (or not) and how welcoming the nations are to immigrants (or not). Full of funny and intelligent observations, she went down extremely well with the audience.

Our headliner was Paul Sinha – no stranger to Northampton, and always a welcome return guest. His set was largely an account of his life-story, from before he was born, through training to be a GP, finally getting a boyfriend in his forties, to where he is today. Having battled with a number of health problems over the past few years – all of which play a part in his routine – the Sinhaman was on blistering form with hilarious punchline after punchline, getting brilliant humour out of the darkest of places, and having a good laugh at his own situation in the process. I think it’s fair to say that the audience were ecstatic in their appreciation! A blissful end to a great night.

Unfortunately, we can’t go to the next few Bradlaugh nights – but I trust that you will, because there are some great names ahead!