Gag and Bone Man Comedy – Huddersfield Town Hall – Review
By Steve Crabtree, October 2025
It was a bustling Town Hall in Huddersfield for the latest Gag and Bone Man Comedy night – and with the names on tonight’s bill, it was no surprise.
It was the end of the week, there was an ‘it’s-the-weekend’ feeling in the room as people filtered in, grabbed a drink, and settled down for a night of solid laughs.
I’d been looking forward to this one for a while. For months. Gag and Bone Man Comedy shows always attract great line-ups, but this one had a few extra reasons to be excited. Top acts, a great crowd, just down the road from me, and one of Yorkshire’s nicest venues as the setting. All the makings of a belter…
“One-liner King”
Gary Delaney was kicking things off in this one. And starting a comedy night with such a strong name almost feels unfair. The clever one-liner king fired out gag after gag at his usual ridiculous pace, and just when you thought you’d heard most of his set from online clips, he rolled out loads of fresh ones.
He was only meant to do 20 minutes, but he’d forgotten to set his watch. He overran, and that was absolutely fine by us. The more Gary Delaney, the better. I’ve seen him live a few times now, but he still surprises me. It was a great opener, and a surprising one too as he’s normally your top-of-the-bill staple.
When he finally ‘ran out of time’, Graeme Rayner did his usual brilliant job as host in-between the acts. Sharp as ever, with enough crowd interaction to keep things lively. I was briefly on the receiving end until his line of questioning revealed that I was reviewing the show tonight, and (sadly..or maybe gratefully!) he moved swiftly on. He keeps the whole night moving nicely, but with enough of his own material to remind you he’s more than just the guy with the clipboard.
“Sudocrem-laden”
Frankie Monroe was up next. And to be honest, he was my highlight of the evening. I’ve seen him a couple of times before, but tonight he was really strong – this was him at his best.
There’s always a bit of tension when Frankie takes to the stage. And with that, he smashed it. Sudocrem-laden, he swiped my father-in-law’s beer (which most people wouldn’t dare), told the room he didn’t like it, and then necked just about enough of it to make sure my father-in-law had to pay another trip to the bar.
After nabbing another punters’ bank card, he caused enough unfiltered and unpredictable chaos to have Huddersfield in stitches. There were big laughs from start to finish, I still haven’t managed to touch his trowel, and he perhaps got the biggest applause of the night.
“Self slating”
After a break, it was time for Johnny Brook – or The Sat Down Stand Up, as he’s known. It took him a while to get on stage, but that’s all part of it. His slow entrance builds a kind of gentle awkwardness that sets the tone for what follows.
Brook’s humour is dry, understated, self slating and brilliantly delivered. As he picks on his sh*t legs, a lot of his jokes land with a delayed reaction – that moment where you’re not sure if you should laugh, but you can’t help it. It’s a pretty unique act with a cleverness that you admire at the same time as belly laughing.
Brook was only on for around 10 or 11 minutes – and that’s the only thing I’d change, if I could. I always want more of Brook when he’s on the bill. His set style builds so nicely that you’re just settling in when it ends, and it always leaves you wanting extra.
“A class act”
Headlining was Ed Gamble – someone most people will know from the many comic-packed telly shows or podcasts, and tonight showed exactly why he’s everywhere right now.
He walked on with a confidence strut and got stuck straight in. His stories – like the WhatsApp group highlight – carried so much laughable weight, pretty much every line landed so well. It wasn’t overworked, and it didn’t feel like he was performing something he’d done a thousand times before. He was properly enjoying himself – and so were we.
The rhythm to his comedy means he knows how to pull you in with a daft idea, let it snowball into something, and then smash the punchline without overplaying it. He’s a class act, and it was clear why he was the closer.
“A way to properly round off your week”
By the time Gamble wrapped up, we’d been treated to another full evening of proper variety. From sharp one-liners to character comedy to the slower, more considered stuff – it was all there. And that’s what Gag and Bone Man Comedy always gets right. It’s not about just having one recognisable name – it’s about balance. And about a full night out.
Tonight was a great example of how these nights have gone from something you heard about through word of mouth, to something you plan ahead for and get tickets early. The quality’s consistent, the crowds are sound, and if you’re looking for a way to properly round off your week – this is it.
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
