I was looking forward to the RAG Stand-Up Comedy Final because I thought that all the performers who made it this far would be at least vaguely entertaining. And I was right. I suppose part of what makes stand-up exciting to watch is the fear that at any moment the whole thing may descend into the hand-bitingly awkward; that the skilful orator guiding us to dizzying comedic heights might suddenly become just a flailing little figure on stage. Luckily, nothing on Tuesday night had this punch-yourself-in-the-face quality, so my first box was well and truly ticked.

On to the main matter at hand: was it funny? The short answer is YES, but with 250 words to go, I’ll continue. The show was made up of six separate routines so obviously some were brilliant and equally, there were some weaker moments. Promising freshers Phil Wang and Dannish Barber managed to work the oft’time deprecated genre of the “Cambridge joke” through well thought out observations (no lazy references to facebook friends here) and because they were both just plain likeable.

Indeed if there’s one thing we learnt last night it’s that getting the audience to like you works. That’s what competition winner (the artist formerly known as Daran Johnson) did so well. His intelligent routine varied from simple observational anecdotes to a funeral speech and a reading from his “erotic-novel-cum-pornography.” And when all’s said and done, his delivery and accompanying Gervais-esque lupine grin was just really funny. 

I think Johnson deserved to win but I actually found Liam Williams’ set the most interesting to watch. His onstage persona (or perhaps just personality) managed to be vulnerable, chaotic and slightly crazed all at once.

Last mention has to go to the calm professionalism of host Keith Akushie (pictured right) who told us about his rap/physics cross-over film (E = MC Hammer). With all this gushing praise that I’m throwing about you’re probably wondering – why not more stars? It’s really no reflection of the show’s best moments but as a whole there wasn’t the consistency needed for a higher rating. One raucous audience member in the front row should be thanked for distracting from lulls in pace with bolstering cackles. By Catherine Crosse

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