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Roll in the aisles at the Clock Tower club

3/ 1/2002

The club, which only started in the autumn, is run by host and compere Roland Gent and features an evening full of laughs.

News editor Mark Baxter reports on how the Clock Tower provides a good night out.

In the last gig before Christmas, a full room was treated to four acts, as well as Roland himself.

The first act, Anthony J Brown, delivered a slow and deadpan monologue. Although an unusual act, he soon had the audience in rapt silence - this was not a comedian to be heckled.

His entire act was delivered while slowly stroking the microphone, and a series of individual jokes followed on a very thoughtful manner.

The middle slot of the night is an open microphone, either for aspiring new comedians or for established names to try out new material. At the last performance, there were two names - first up was Neil Foster, who delivered a noisy and energetic set and reminded me a little of Eddie Izzard as he deviated from his main thread into loosely connected asides.

He was followed by Ross Wayman, who is new to the comedy scene, and delivered a hard-thought-out speech which involved good gags - although he tried a little too hard.

The headline act was back by popular demand - the Rev Obadiah Steppenwolf III, who delivered a long set in character as the aforementioned televangelist-style preacher from America.

He thrived on hecklers and never let the persona drop for a moment and was appreciated by many of the audience.

The club promises many more acts in the New Year and meets every Thursday at the Clock Tower on Wilmslow Road, with doors opening at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £5 for the first time, £4 afterwards and £3 for students or the unemployed. Call Roland on 445 1686 for more details.