Can comedians be funny without swearing or explicit jokes? Shout! - An Evening of Gospel Comedy seeks to find out by giving three Christian stand-ups the task of making a saved audience full of grandmas, children and deacons laugh.

Hosted by actor Mark Christopher Lawrence (reeling off the standard ‘I used to get beats from my parents’ jokes amidst uncanny impressions of Pentecostal preachers), Shout! fields three comics of varying abilities in an attempt to provide an anti-dote to the hilarious but obscene acts of today. There was nine-year-old River Jordan, the youngest comedian to take to the stage anywhere that had everyone ‘ahhh-ing’ with his cute observations, and Marc Patrick, a natural funnyman who deserved much more of the set time that was reserved for headliner Lester Barrie. Having hosted Comic View on BET, Barrie’s comedic experience was obvious as his routines ranging from his preference for unattractive girls to social commentary had the audience howling in the aisles. Interspersed amidst the laughter were the obligatory musical interludes provided by gospel vocalist Bobette Jamison-Harrison who appeased with the ‘just out of church’ crowd with her brand of praise songs.

Def Comedy Jam this ain’t, but it’s not trying to be. The comedy is PG enough for kids yet witty enough to entertain adults without slaughtering any sacred cows. And though a lot of the material was familiar, Shout! achieved its remit of making comedy that won’t offend Christian sensibilities.

For further information to get your copy please visit: www.markchristopherlawrence.com.