Mark Little, our favourite adopted Aussie, is on a mission to uncover weird and wonderful acts.

Winners, dragged from the city's bedsits by mysterious "Cathy in the Dark", will appear as part of Brighton Fringe 2008.

The cosy Brunswick back bar exudes a vaudeville feel. All acts are encouraged by a receptive audience and the winner decided by applause.

Kicking off were the Royal Mugs - a regal musical/comedy double act which dazzled in the smoky club setting.

"Everyone's a winner, except one is more of a winner than the rest," says Mark before announcing the two winners for the night are singer-songwriter Felicity and Mental Floss, a Victorian sideshow exponent who drove a nail into his head.

The Rodeo is not for the squeamish, with the packed audience also exposed to full frontal nudity.