Monthly nights launched by stand-ups Duncan Hart and Gil Givens

Comedians Duncan Hart and Gil Givens are launching four monthly comedy clubs across Hertfordshire next month.

Absolutely Belting Comedy will run nights in Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth and Baldock – with the first batch headlined by Bob Mills, Paul Sinha, Milo Edwards and Arthur Smith.

Hart said that every spot on the main club bills will be paid, with 10 and 15 slots available.

He said: ‘We got sick of hearing about acts not being paid, performers being exploited and audiences being sold poorly put-together shows. We wanted to put that frustration into building something brilliant.

‘We want to create proper opportunities for good comedians to progress. A strong ten minutes has value in its own right. If you’ve got ten that consistently works in a professional club, you shouldn’t have to rush into doing twenty before you’re ready just to get paid.’

The opening shows are:

• Saturday 7 November: Bob Mills at Toby Carvery Old Forge, Stevenage.
• Saturday 14 November: Paul Sinha at Woodside Hall, Hitchin, with Olaf Falafel, two rising talents and host Ben Van Der Velde.
• Saturday 21 November: Milo Edwards at the Little Theatre at The Settlement, Letchworth.
• Friday 27 November: Arthur Smith at The Orange Tree, Baldock.

And Hart added: ‘There will never, EVER be any AI posters!’

The venture grew out of Herts Comedy Workshop, which Hart co-founded and now features around 70 members helping develop each other’s material. 

Published: 26 Oct 2026