Terry Alderton, Keith Farnan and Tom Lucy review: Hilarious ride aboard Winter Wonderland's comic rollercoaster

Winter Wonderland already seemed to have every attraction one might want, from slippery ice skating to a sausagey Bavarian village.

This year it also has a comedy club, with different acts each week in the big top. The current threesome is Terry Alderton, Keith Farnan and Tom Lucy, who pack plenty into their brief appearances. The shows are only 45 minutes, but maybe after you’ve spent the evening on the Big Wheel it might be just the way to wind down.

Compere Lucy is someone with a bright future. He is a relaxed presence and his genial crowd work helped to build up the room’s energy. He is only in his early twenties and still finding a distinctive voice, but he clearly has a way of connecting with an audience.

Irishman Farnan certainly knows how to build a rapport quickly, high-fiving every member of the front row while mocking everyone in the second row for not having the courage of their convictions to sit right at the front.

The ex-lawyer’s material homed in on family matters. From wondering why so few babies are called “Keith” to relatable material about trying to get a much-desired Christmas present for his child. Having pulled out all the stops by Christmas morning they inevitably wanted something else.

Pulling out all the stops is exactly what Alderton does onstage. The former Southend United goalkeeper used every inch of the large space, hurtling around as if avoiding a sniper in the wings. His voice bobbed and weaved too.
One moment he was Danny Dyer, the next a human clarinet.

Alderton is sometimes compelling, sometimes downright confusing. On this occasion he was a touch of both, serenading fans, impersonating an air-raid siren and generally unleashing his devilish streak. One thing you can definitely say is that he is never a dull end to an evening.

The bills could be more diverse but there are some appealing names to come, including Dane Baptiste, whose sitcom Sunny D is being developed for American television, and Luisa Omielan, whose series Politics for Bitches has just been a BBC3 hit. Make time after the rides for some serious stand-up.

Until January 6 (0300 061 2000, hydeparkwinterwonderland.com)