Comedy is pretty thin on the ground in Bermuda, so thank heavens for the annual Just for Laughs feast which gives stand-up fans some much needed nourishment.

The line-up this year is as good as ever, hosted again by the likeably grumpy Alonzo Bodden who deservedly gets plenty of mic time to deliver his pithy observations on America's celebrity-obsessed culture.

Britney Spears? "If she was a pet you would have had her put down by now." The departing George Bush also took some deserved blows although Mr. Bodden understandably laments the imminent departure of a comedy gold mine.

With an MC of his sharpness and spontaneity the main acts might have struggled to make their mark. Thankfully they were all on their game.

Canadian Gerry Dee's laconic take on everything from teaching children to friends who donate lousy wedding gifts was top notch throughout. While his fellow Canucks might be familiar with his talent it's clear the rest of the world has been missing something.

Next up was Irishman Ed Bryne – a familiar face, or so I had thought. Actually I'd stood next to him in the bar for ten minutes and completely failed to recognise him – some serious new glasses and a different haircut had seen to that.

Thankfully his act was recognisably good. He is particularly good on relationships. It's a familiar vein for comedians but Mr. Bryne still kept it fresh by an imaginative approach. He has a sharp eye for the absurdity of the ordinary including the uselessness of bathroom scales and the pomposity of Americans trying to claim personal credit for the natural wonders of the Grand Canyon.

If you had stopped the show right there most punters would have enjoyed a good night out.

But thankfully there was plenty more after the intermission, even if the second half struggled to match the quality of the first.

Comedy competition winner Jonathan Young continued the show with a short, confident and largely successful spot strong on sexual content. It echoed a theme began with Bermudian Jah at the start of the show and must have had the visiting comics wondering whether they made a mistake by not ramping up the raunch.

Wendy Liebman was a massive hit with the crowd who lapped up her mastery of the unexpected punchline, all delivered with immaculate timing. Finale act Greg Morton provided a huge change of pace with tour de force of voices, noises and impressions.

A former animator there was something very cartoonish about his whole act as he showcased his vocal talents from lampoons of the 'Lord of the Rings' to cameos of pop stars through the decades, culminating in a Mick Jagger impersonation which best suited the comedian who bears more than a passing resemblance. 'Let's Spend the Night Together?' I doubt there was a single soul at the Southampton Princess who regretted spending the night together in front of a fine array of comic talent which has cemented this show as one of the highlights of the Bermudian entertainment calendar.

Hopefully the event will one day expand into more regular dates sprinkled throughout the year.