Image Credit : Tallie Kane

The best thing to do if you're single on Valentine’s Day? Take the piss out of other people, or at least watch other people do it.

The Union was awash with a gentle hush, half filled with couples and half filled with those sick of couples who were more than willing to watch them becoming targets.

First up, Compere Tom Craine has an interesting way of working the room, playing off of the stench of Valentines' in the room with quick and intelligent responses to those in the audience who find it funny to take him on.

At one point I got called 'Miss Violence' because I somehow got round to metaphorically giving him a Chinese burn. His reputation as a fresh and spontaneous comedian precedes him, his geek turned jack-the-lad persona inviting the audience to look at themselves through a set of human and frank anecdotes.

Up next, Lou from 'Little Britain' lookalike Carl Donnelly presents us with his unique brand of schoolboy, and essentially silly comedy. He's the kind of kid you'd remember from school who could generate a laugh out of the most morbid situations and gets away with it with a wink.

Donnelly delves deeply into the realms of the controversial without any lack of confidence, one of those things that are essential if you're going to pull off politically incorrect jokes without getting stoned/thrown out/shot.

Kate Smurthwaite however, seemed somewhat intimidated by the group of students congregated in the darkness of the Unions' Waterhole.

Although her material was clever, with an initiative that set her up as an independently minded, quick-witted female, there was a falter to her delivery that let her down.

Her best moments were when she was at her most sporadic, setting you up slowly and then landing one hell of a one-liner.

By the time we'd already topped up on drinks, emptied our bladders and seen two acts, Compere Tom Craine had successfully managed to pick on nearly everyone in the Union, keeping you constantly on your toes in case you were next.

With a full head of white hair, Caimh MacDonnell surprised us all with his outrageous and hilariously clever set. I don't think I've seen a man test the reception of his audience more than they will attempt to judge him themselves.

His comedy thrived off of his witty, cunningly casual banter, successfully choosing and winning his battles with himself, his environment and the wider world.

His set ended on a high, literally being laughed off of stage by the audience in unbearable gut-aches.

Hopefully this success will continue, I encourage you to check out this fresh new addition to the Union's timetable. The next one is on 13th March.

Rating 4/5