Comedy Festival opening night

The Tripod boys are geeks and they know it

They joked, they sang, and poor old Hamilton got a ribbing - even from the overseas guys - at the Comedy Festival Gala on Friday night.

More than 20 acts performed and despite many of the male comedians having a preoccupation with masturbation, Brokeback Mountain, and the war on terror (it's so last year), the show was funny.

Plus, the gala is always a good indication of who to check out, and who to avoid, during the three-week festival. Here's how 10 of the acts fared ...

Dom Irrera (US )
Comedy Gala host

He says: Irrera was like a mini Tony Soprano, except funny. He's the Godfather of Stand-Up, and you can see why, as he effortlessly rolls out gag after gag.

He's cutting, too. When Sally-Anne Upton's routine fizzed, he came on, told a joke, and said he was bringing the crowd back.

She says: Before Irrera opens his mouth, you can tell the man is crass. When he does, this suspicion is confirmed, and then some. At times brilliant, other times his fast-talking was incomprehensible.

Our rating: * * * *

Ewen Gilmour (New Zealand)

He says: Gilmour is first up and seems a little nervous. But, by the end, with his "what's worse, childbirth or getting kicked in the balls?" joke, he is back to his Westie best.

She says: Gilmour's new role in life as a Waitakere City Councillor provided the bulk of material for his set. Unfortunately it wasn't up to his usual gold standard.

Our rating: * * *

Charlie Pickering (Australia)

He says: Pickering was the first to bring up the war on terror. Great. Who cares? But his camp Osama impression, and what the terrorist might be getting up to in his hiding place, was masterful.

She says: He did the war on terror and Osama jokes best of all. In Pickering's world, bin Laden is a cross between a gay Ukranian and a Swedish game show host. Hilarious.

Our rating: * * * *

Jimeoin (Ireland/Australia)

He says: Jimeoin makes everyday things like farts, relationships, and smells, bloody hilarious simply because he's a keen observer. He can relate to the despair you feel when your fart follows you.

She says: Anyone that can make fart jokes clever has got to be a genius. End of story.

Our rating: * * *

Tripod (Australia)

He says: Maybe this is prejudice, but because they're Australians they're not as good as our own Flight of the Conchords. But, this musical trio are adorably nerdy, clever and, man, those geeks can sing. A must-see.

She says: After Phil Nichol, this was the best act of the night. The Tripod boys are geeks and they know it. They use genuine musical talent to mock themselves, and others, superbly.

Our rating: * * * * *

Dai Henwood (New Zealand)

He says: He rolls in on his Segway, oozing confidence, and takes on pot-smoking road workers and the "don't drink and fry" slogan. "I'm pissed. I'm going to fry some bacon. Surely it's more dangerous to eat raw meat."

She says: God knows where he got it, but Henwood delivered his entire set from a black and orange Segway. Henwood made the most of his home advantage and gave one of his best live performances.

Our rating: * * * *

David O'Doherty (Ireland)

He says: Another must-see at the festival is this coy, but very cool, Irish man who plays a 1985 Yamaha keyboard and sings songs about himself. Genius.

She says: O'Doherty is the type of comedian that proves you don't have to be dirty to be funny. His child-like persona is immensely likeable, while his humour is simple and pervasive.

Our rating: * * * * *

Sally-Anne Upton (US )

He says: While giving us a small taste of her show, Late Night Catechism, Upton died. Her crash course in Catholicism crashed. Even though she involved the crowd, she still lost us.

She says: It's not that religion isn't funny, but it should be restricted to those clever enough and subtle enough to tackle it properly. Upton was clearly neither of these.

Our rating: * *

Janey Godley (Scotland)

He says: The most mumsy of tonight's performers, and she is lovely. Her hot daughter is a hot topic and most of the jokes are at her expense. But when you've got the funniest mum on earth, who cares?

She says: Maybe it's the Glaswegian accent, or her over-excited multiple personalities, but you can't help but love this woman. Whether her 20-year-old daughter Ashley still loves her, after being mocked in front of strangers, remains to be seen.

Our rating: * * * *

Rhys Darby (New Zealand)

He says: This nutty local lad has clever lines but what caps it are his noises, movements, and facials.

Go-kart rides have never been so much fun.

She says: Darby's random approach to comedy is usually hilarious but, with his late billing and the abundance of talent preceding him, his act got a bit lost in the haze of humour.

Our rating: * * *