At 8pm a buzzing crowd flows into a cosy, dimly-lit room housing a vacant stage with nothing on it but a microphone. The room glimmers with disco balls and spotlights, as what turns out to be the performers for the night wander in and out of a hidden back room.

As the show begins we are introduced to our host, Chris Henry, a Scottish comedian whose booming and energetic voice promises a night of acts from around the world. With a new line-up every night, Monday’s performance featured Irishman Rory O’Hanlon, Englishman Brennan Reece, and home-grown Queenslander Jacques Barrett.

Together the four cover an extensive array of topics – from politics and national identity to homophobia, relationships, and the online world. All topics are tastefully skewed towards the audience, provided you’re encouraging of swearing. And yes, whilst there is audience participation, the large crowd makes it unlikely you will be called upon. If that’s your thing, pick a seat near the front.

Each set is equally strong, yet clearly distinct; made memorable by its own comedic flavour. O’Hanlon, conscious of his Irish identity, pokes fun at Australians, naming us the “dog on the surfboard for the rest of the world.” Reece brings a youthful twist to his comedy, sending audiences chuckling with his visual gags with the microphone to represent explicit body parts. However, judging by the audience’s response, nothing beats Barrett’s impression of his father; whistling, head tilting and tongue poking is all I’ll say here.

If there were to be any flaw, it would be that each set – including the host’s – could easily have run for twice as long as it did.

A light-hearted night of continental fun and laughs, Best of Edinburgh Comedy is a fantastic taste of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, to be consumed without ever leaving Perth.

Best of Edinburgh Comedy runs from January 24 – February 20 at The Court Hotel Dance Floor on Beaufort Street, Perth. Tickets available here.