Doggett & Ephgrave will host the first Hitchin Mostly Comedy of 2014 at The Market Theatre Studio on Thursday 23rd January – with a line-up that includes an appearance from the household name, PHILL JUPITUS.

Phill began his performing career in 1984, when he quit working in a Job Centre to become a left-wing punk poet, going by the name Porky The Poet. He did the rounds of pubs and universities, supporting bands including The Style Council, The Housemartins and Billy Bragg. Two years later, he began working for indie label Go! Discs – whose artists included Billy Bragg – where he eventually became press officer for The Housemartins. He has also directed videos for Billy Bragg and the late Kirsty McColl.

As his poetry turned into comedy, Jupitus remained linked to the music scene, with his big TV break coming in 1996, when he joined BBC2’s pop quiz ‘Never Mind The Buzzcocks’ as a regular team captain.

He also hosted his own show on BBC GLR, where he presented his own show from 1995 to 2000, and became the breakfast DJ on 6 Music in 2002.

As a stand-up, he has performed two UK tours: the Star-Wars-themed ‘Jedi, Steady, Go’ in 1996, and ‘Quadrophobia’ in 1999. Phill also supported Madness on their 2000 national tour, and starred in a sitcom called ‘Dark Ages’ for Granada Television. In January 2000, he joined BBC1’s comedy panel game ‘It’s Only TV But I Like It’ as a team captain, alongside Jonathan Ross and Julian Clary. He has also provided the voice of Dandelion in an animated series based on ‘Watership Down’ for ITV and in Aardman Animation’s ‘Rex The Runt’ – and is a regular panellist on BBC1’s ‘QI’.

Joining Phill will be 82-year-old lifestyle guro and BBC Radio 2 favourite, BARRY FROM WATFORD. Barry makes a welcome return visit to Hitchin, fresh from his episode in Sky Atlantic’s mockumentary series ‘Common Ground’; which caused The Guardian to exclaim: ‘Joyous and such skilful character work. Full series please’. Barry’s creator Alex Lowe has appeared in countless popular series, including Channel 4’s ‘Phoenix Nights’ and BBC2’s ‘Saxondale’ and ‘The Thick of It’. Since his regular appearances on BBC Radio 2’s ‘Steve Wright in the Afternoon’,

Barry has gained a staunch radio following, eliciting name-checks in the media from such unlikely sources as Tom Hanks and Ringo Starr.

The evening is hosted by DOGGETT & EPHGRAVE (‘a good comedy double act: they’re bright, clean-cut, have a sparky chemistry with a good line when it comes to gentle self-deprecation’ -Three Weeks).

The gig takes place at The Market Theatre Studio on Thursday 23rd January. The bar will be open from 8.30pm, with the first act taking the stage at 9.15pm. Tickets are £8.00, and are available in advance, via www.mostlycomedy.co.uk.

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK