What's in a name? Jessica Hynes was known as Jessica Stevenson when she found fame as the quirky co-star of C4 sitcom Spaced. She recently started using her married name professionally; so there was some aptness in her fronting this gig for youngsters' charity NCH, which is also planning to change nomenclature, in its case to Action for Children.

Whether this star-peppered event was the ideal place for Hynes to make her stand-up debut was another matter. As compere she was enthusiastic, if thin on gags. What material she had she delivered with considerable personality and bags of winning charm, even though most of her pre-planned patter consisted of a surprisingly lewd story involving the discovery of her mum's vibrator.

There were, however, plenty of other attractions. Probably too many. Extras co-star Stephen Merchant, who is appearing so regularly on the circuit that he must surely be plotting comedy world domination, was a soft-spoken formidable opener.

Standing six foot seven inches tall, he bemoaned the lack of heroic figures at his altitude: "Peter Crouch and the Big Friendly Giant".

Merchant was a tough act to follow, but after umpteen newcomers of varying quality a few had decent stabs. Michael Smiley - Spaced's acid house courier Tyres - made his stand-up comeback combining cheek and threat in equal measures, while Josie Long revealed her love of sneakily stealing promotional pencils.

And surprise cameo Simon Amstell confessed that his new short haircut had had "mixed reviews". Rather like this show.