Many female comedians fall into the trap of alienating half of their audience by concentrating on female specific subjects and slagging off blokes, all of which does little to challenge many audiences pre-disposition to the the opinion that "Women doing stand-up aren't as funny as men".

It is therefor refreshing, when Kerry Godliman takes to the stage for her slot at the grand final of York Comedy Festival's 2003 National Talent Hunt competition, to see a different approach.

Being a woman isn't part of her act and this puts the focus firmly where it should be; on some great observational comedy.  Sure, some "women-stuff" topics are covered, such as some great material on cosmetics and "Gravity defying cream", but it's done in such a way that a personal knowledge of the subject isn't needed to get the jokes, and nobody is left out.

There might be a few done-before topics (regular patrons of comedy clubs will no doubt have heard some fun-size chocolate bar material at one time or another) but her original style more than makes up for it and netted her second place in the competition.

(Harkers, York - Saturday 28/06/2003 - York Comedy Festival - National Talent Hunt FINAL.  Click here for more details on the 2003 York Comedy Festival )