I CAN only imagine how nerve-racking it must be to stand on a stage telling jokes.

If noone laughs, there's nowhere to hide.

Thankfully, the five comedians on the bill at Saturday's Live at the Civic show didn't have that problem, they were all on top of their game and had the crowd crying with laughter from start to finish.

Seann Walsh was the man everyone had come to see and he didn't disappoint.

The 31-year-old, who started his set by declaring that he is now old enough to see crumbs, then went on to look back at the 'good old days' of childhood.

Everyone was laughing as we've all been there - from playing football in the street (or being the designated car spotter) to spending waiting hours for a film to download on a dial-up internet connection only to find out it wasn't in English.

His quick wit and energy was infectious and it's not hard to see why he's appeared on the likes of Mock The Week.

Walsh was supported by Patrick Monahan, a man who certainly knows how to work the room.

He had the crowd in stitches with a routine that involved plenty of audience interaction, drawing on body hair and vegans.

Vegans were also a hot topic with Jake Lambert, who was my favourite act of the night.

He's definitely one to watch. He seemed at home on stage, delivering an effortlessly funny set looking at single life, children's logic and his love for Blur.

"I've got a Blur alarm clock, so I always wake up listening to Park Life, except on Wednesdays when I get rudely awakened by the dustmen," was just one of my favourites.

The surprise of the night was Vince Atta, an incredibly talented musical act who uses a multi-track looper to create hilarious songs.

It set him apart from the other acts and worked so well, drawing in some of the biggest laughs of the night.

But the show would have been nothing without Dudley's own Wayne Beese, the compare for the evening.

Beese get funnier every time I see him and he really knows how to get the best out of the crowd, with the crazy cat lady from the end house and gap year Callum being just two of the gems he found in the audience.

The next Live At The Civic will also be hosted by Beese and takes place on February 17.

Justin Moorhouse of Phoenix Nights fame will headline alongside Mock The Week regular Gary Delaney, supported by Scott Bennett and Lindsey Santoro.

Tickets are now on sale here.