IT HAS just been confirmed that comedian Russell Brand will be in The Forge at The Anvil on Friday, March 18, at 8pm.

Brand made his theatrical debut, aged 15, as Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone. He then attended the Italia Conti Stage School and began performing stand-up in pubs around London.

He reached the final of the prestigious Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year competition - finishing runner-up - and Time Out dubbed him "Essex's Bill Hicks".

Further gigs at the Empire followed, plus a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival with more flattering reviews and an appearance in the So You Think You're Funny? final.

MTV caught Russell's show and gave him his own series, Dance Floor Chart. This led him into various TV shows and appearances, including hosting E4's live Big Brother discussion series Efourum and presenting Kings of Comedy for E4.

The audience will get the chance to enjoy Russell trying out new material and be among the first to hear his latest comedy ideas.

Tickets, priced £8, are available from the box office on 01256 844244, the website www.theanvil.org or the ticket fax on 01256 366900.