On one of the few nights that Edinburgh got sunshine in May, a group from JCI decided the evening would be better spent in a small, dark, very hot room with around 100 other folk.  They weren't wrong.  
 
For those who haven't been to The Stand before, it's an intimate little comedy venue on York Place that has hosted some great names.  Most of us were suffering from a long week at work and needed our spirits lifted.  Arriving early, we took advantage to get seats near the front but just far enough away to not be in the firing line.  The bubbly staff started the night with great banter at the bar as we got tucked into some excellent nosh (kudos to those who managed to resist the nachos, but damn, they were good!).  We had some time to chat and catch up with the other JCI attendees before the night opened with compere Joe Heenan.  A great introduction, taking the mickey out of all the front row (the benefits of getting there early were starting to show), we settled in for a great night. 
 
First up was Bruce Fummey - a half Scottish, half Ghanaian comic with a wry look at growing up in Scotland as well as some Scottish history from his research into Burns speeches - his real forte apparently.  We should have told him that he has competition from some of our fabulous Burns speakers!  Next up was Sian Bevan - a nice girl from down south who was giving tips on finding love from her own experiences.  We were learning from her mistakes.  Joe was back on to give a break and tell us some of his bluer jokes before we heard from Dan Nightingale.  The funniest man of the night in my opinion, he arrived on stage wearing a pork-pie hat, which just made him even funnier.  A laugh a minute, he shared stories of his life around not being able to remember the words to 'The Wheels on the Bus' and having to brave the gym!
 
In the breaks, there were more drinks and giggling as we recounted our own funny gym stories and reminisced about other comedians we had seen (not in the gym!).  Then we were onto our headline act, Paul Sinha.  A festival regular, Paul is the only openly gay, asian, fully qualified GP on the comedy circuit.  He ticks so many 'PC' boxes, he can only ever be totally un-PC.  Telling us of the times he has been asked onto TV and radio programmes and debates as the token either 'gay', 'comedian' or 'ethnic minority', he casts vitriol on those who try to put him down. 
 
With the laughter still ringing in our ears, we all set off to our respective homes having been thoroughly cheered up.  A great night out and a good taster for what's to come in the Edinburgh festival later in the year.

Karen Manson