You'll probably know Lee Mack from his work on ITV's "The Sketch Show" and Channel 4's stand-up show "Gas".   Headlining the launch event of the 2003 York Comedy Festival he was faced with the challenge of following a strong line-up that had undoubtedly left the audience with high expectations for the top-of-the-bill act.

Fortunately Mack met the challenge head on and his down-to-earth, laid back, friendly manner endeared him to the audience instantly.  This endearment early on was essential for his act to work as it relies more heavily than average on audience interaction.

This was both the best and worst thing about his set.  While it was refreshing to see a different approach like this the venue, York grand opera house, lacked the intimate of a comedy club where this approach can really thrive, and the audience lacked the enthusiasm (and perhaps the alcohol levels) of a club crowd.  Many of Mack's requests for "Any Questions?" were met with overlong pauses.

When someone plucked up the courage to take the bait however, Mack was razor sharp and his timing spot on and gave him the opportunities to slot in some great gags and routines from his collection.

His "I won't change my act, regardless" attitude, after discovering a 12 year old boy in the front row, was to be admired.  The c**t's and f**k's continued to fly, as did a particularly near the knuckle (should that be near the elbow?) joke about fisting.  From then on a little voice in the back of our minds kept saying "He can't say that in front of a 12 year old!", which added a great "edginess" to his performance.

(York Grand Opera House - Monday 23/06/2003 - York Comedy Festival Launch Event.  Click here for more details on the 2003 York Comedy Festival )