"What is this mad table of which he speaks?"

Another guest compere filling in this week, this time it was Malarkey regular Des Sharples. And first onto the stage was open spot Steve Cochran.

I'd seen Steve at the Comedy Balloon and at The Thirsty Scholar before and to be honest I didn't like his style there at all. It was as if it were a Radio 4 monologue, word perfect and totally scripted, with no opportunity for improvisation or banter. Unfortunately it was more of the same at Malarkey's. The material is quite surreal, with some potentially good ideas, and there were some great turns of phrase in there, but I don't think this style is suited to the stage (for the average comic). Having said that, I've seen Steve since, and is was much improved as it didn't seem quite as scripted. There's hope yet.

Next on, making his debut at XS Malarkey, was Stockport comic Steve Shanyaski.

Steve has been making something of a name for himself on the Manchester circuit, and is tipped to be one of the stars of the future. Whilst Steve definitely has something on stage - an easy-going, affable manner - the material needs strengthening a bit in places. The bits where Steve really comes into his own are the acoustic songs he does. The scally song is good, but the song about Stockport is brilliant, especially the chorus: "Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, STOCKPORT!"

Third onto the Malarkey stage was comedy musical act Freaks Outing.

Freaks had some great songs, interspersed with gags of varying quality. The absolute highlight of the set for me is the Death song (see picture). The lyrics are nothing special but it's the actions that just make me roar. Fantastic stuff. I think he should end on that one instead of the Miners' Rap song. All in all a decent set from Mr Outing.

The headliner was Scouse - but Didsbury-based - comic John Bishop.

Affable John treated the crowd to a preview of his Edinburgh show, and what a belter it was too. I got to see John's show in Edinburgh, and as is usual with him, you never get the same set twice. Tales of telephone tables and toilet-based mishaps with his kids kept the crowd thoroughly amused for 40 minutes. Fantastic stuff.

See you next week.

Spider.