Charlie Baker and Josh Widdicombe at the Landmark Ilfracombe-Review

Charlie Baker and Josh Widdicombe delivered Devonian charm in abundance to the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe last night (Saturday 28th January 2012), where Ilfracombe People packed out the audience eager to sample the double dose of stand-up comedy from the local lads.

First out was bundle of energy, and winner of Let's Dance for Comic Relief 2011 Charlie Baker. Leaping around the stage in the manner of his look-a-like Jack Black the comic was not about to let the crowd sit back on their laurels, demanding audience participation from the very start. Bounding off the stage he picked out three lads from the front to take part in an impromptu air guitar band. Throw in to the mix some seat-swapping, local jokes including reference to Madonna's Bra and the Military Wives Choir as well as a re-enactment of Newton Abbot Cattle Market by the audience, and the tone for the act was well and truly set. Playing to his strengths as an accomplished singer and dancer as well as a comic, his biggest laugh of the night was gained with his "Devon Jazz" parodies of old classics by the likes of Frank Sinatra with lyrics such as She likes to drink Strongbow and sleeps on the street/ She's got just one trainer for both of her feet in a snap your fingers to the beat Big-Band style.

In contrast to Charlie Baker's cheeky chappy, second act Josh Widdicombe ambled on stage with a subtler brand of family-friendly low-key reflective humour. I first encountered Josh as the warm-up act for Alan Carr's Work in Progress Tour at the Queen's Theatre in Barnstaple last April where I enjoyed his mildly baffled single student persona and gentle observational humour. Last night he brought some old favourites to the stage as well as some cracking new material. The affable comic indulged in friendly banter with the crowd that showcased his quick-witted comebacks and humble humour, poking amicable fun at his audience which only increased their affection for the big-haired humorist. Josh meanders around the stage, bemused by the small ironies of everyday life. How has a hot water bottle become "sexy" he muses? Who invented the frankly misleading name for a gravy boat? And how ludicrous is the premise for the game "Cluedo"?! Universal childhood memories also featured on the agenda for the evening, such as the "do you like butter?" buttercup under the chin test as well as growing up in the 80's references to Gladiators and Tetris.

The lasting memory I have of the evening and the one I will leave you with, is the unforgettable imagery of Widdicombe pogoing along behind his mates on BMX's after his mum bought him a pogo stick instead of a bike for Christmas as "the next best thing." Priceless.