New Comedy Club for Hitchin!

New comedy venture brings monthly stand-up to North Herts including Hitchin!

Comedy favourites Bob Mills, Paul Sinha, Milo Edwards and Arthur Smith will headline a programme of regular monthly stand-up nights launching across North Herts this November.

Absolutely Belting Comedy — ABC for short — has been founded by Hertfordshire comedians and producers Duncan Hart and Gil Givens, with clubs launching in Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock.

The opening night brings Bob Mills to Stevenage's Toby Carvery, Old Forge, on Saturday 7 November.

Paul Sinha, familiar to viewers of The Chase and Taskmaster, headlines Woodside Hall, Hitchin, on Saturday 14 November, joined by Olaf Falafel, two rising talents and Comedy Store regular Ben Van der Velde as host.

Comedian and podcaster Milo Edwards headlines the Little Theatre at The Settlement, Letchworth, on Saturday 21 November, before comedy legend Arthur Smith comes to The Orange Tree, Baldock, on Friday 27 November.

Duncan said: "We wanted to give people more regular weekend comedy on their doorstep: brilliant acts, good value and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to come back. The name tells you what we're aiming for — absolutely belting comedy."

The venture builds on Duncan's work with Herts Comedy Workshop, a community initiative helping local comedians and comedy writers develop their craft.

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"There's tons of talent in Hertfordshire," he said. "We're bringing some of the best acts on the circuit together with carefully chosen emerging performers. Audiences get a fantastic show, and newer acts get the opportunity to perform alongside established names."

Duncan began performing stand-up at 19 before stepping away in 2014 to concentrate on television. His career has included work with Russell Howard, Dara Ó Briain, James Acaster and Rosie Jones, alongside his role as lead writer and editor on Channel 4's Narrow Escapes.

"I've had an amazing time in television, but I missed live comedy," he said. "Now I want to help build a comedy community here."

Gil, an established broadcaster and author whose writing includes books, plays, sketches and screenplays, has more recently moved into stand-up.

Gil said: "I've enjoyed writing everything from philosophy books to sports reports over the years, but nothing matches comedy writing. The workshops have been invaluable. I've met so many great people through those sessions. But putting on great shows is an even bigger buzz than writing and performing. Duncan and I share the same work ethic and commitment to quality, so working together felt natural."

Future plans include new-material nights with big name acts, roast battles, improv shows and secret gigs featuring TV headliners, alongside collaborations with other promoters and online comedy content.

Tickets for all shows are available at www.abcomedy.co.uk, with no booking fees.

For more information about the workshops or shows, email [email protected].