AFTER the excitement of the pantomime season and the hilarity of Christmas Comedy Curry, January 21 sees the return of the monthly Jongleurs at The Corn Exchange in Newbury.

With the headliner still under wraps, there is anticipation at the town centre venue, but the evening's bill is confirmed as containing Eddy Brimson, Christian Reilly and compere Brian Higgins (pictured above).

Brimson started out in the world of comedy in May 1999 and yet, despite his brief time on the circuit, he has risen to the dizzy heights of playing such prestigious venues as Jongleurs, the Banana Cabaret and the Belfast Empire.

He also performs regularly all over the country with the likes of Off The Kerb, Avalon, Standing Ovation and Mirth Control.

In 1998, Reilly was a musical frontman with a deep passion for stand-up comedy.

In October of that year, he teamed up with US comic/songster Rich Hall to become a part of the Perrier Award-winning Otis Lee Crenshaw show on guitar and vocals.

He has been performing solo stand-up sets since June 2001 - first in Melbourne, then on the London comedy circuit and, most recently, at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Higgins' stand-up material derives from life stories, memories of his paramedic days, drink, religion and his childhood.

With an energetic delivery, he touches on the funny side of life's ups and downs.

His first appearance at The Edinburgh Fringe was in Haggis & Curry, with Britain's first Asian comedian, Jeff Mirza.

Higgins has recently returned from headlining a series of shows in Dubai.

To buy tickets, priced £10 (£8 discounts), contact The Corn Exchange box office on 01635 522733 or book online at www.cornexchangenew.com