WITH stand-up comics a dime a dozen at the Fringe, the funny folk must do a fair bit to stand apart from the rest.

Gordon Southern is one surprise packet who through a diverse routine, wry observations and an adorable chunk of self-deprecation manages to rise above the riff raff.

And, despite being from the UK, being married to an SA girl means his local jokes rise above the usual northern suburbs jibes trotted out all too regularly by visiting comics.

Southern tested out a heap of new material at this year’s Fringe – even the gags that fell flat, he turned into a laugh – and some of his best work was the result of witty ad-libbing.

★★★★ 1/2 stars

Gelatissimo, until March 13