Boothby Graffoe/Patrick Monahan

Octagon Theatre, Bolton 

IN what could become a regular comedy night at the Octagon Theatre, Boothby Graffoe and Patrick Monahan both impressed in a double-header.

Both are stalwarts of the comedy scene so to have them both on the same bill for £10 is a steal.

Graffoe is a regular on BBC Radio 4, while Monahan is best known as the winner of Jason Manford's excellent comedy talent search, Show Me the Funny.

Monahan was particularly likeable on Friday, kicking off the night by hugging half the 78-strong audience then persuading one unlucky ticket holder onto the stage to join him in an improvised dance.

It was all very silly and all very funny. Monahan oozes positivity during his 60-minute set. His theme was couples and love, as he chatted effortlessly to the audience, involving people with his warm, unobtrusive manner.

It was pointed out at the end of the night that neither act had sworn during the show - unusual for a comedy these days - and this was particularly noticeable during Monahan's act.

I want to describe his humour as gentle, but I think that may be doing him a disservice because he is cleverer than that.

There is no doubting Graffoe's intelligence. He is sharp as a tack. Very political, raging, again quite gently, about the unerring similarity of today's towns and cities.

“Everywhere looks the same,” he says. “Specsavers, McDonalds, Starbucks, and a shopping centre with a Next and a Boots.”

He also pointed out the large number of betting shops in Bolton, adding: “That strikes me as being quite ironic, because if you live in Bolton, you're not naturally very lucky, are you?”

A bit harsh, perhaps, but then again, I suppose it was a joke. Or was it?

Steven Thompson