T he Grey Lady, the intimate and atmospheric venue in Tunbridge Well's Pantiles, is set to host its own bi-monthly stand-up comedy night.

The first of these will see three tried and tested acts road-testing the venue's suitability alongside two newcomers in the open mic spots.

The event will be compered by accomplished comic Julie Jepson who is a regular host at the well-established Komedia and Comedy Station clubs in Brighton.

The cheeky northerner burst onto the comedy circuit in 2005 when she reached the final of the Funny Women Comedy Awards after performing just three gigs.

Since then Julie has performed her debut one woman show Inner Badger at the Edinburgh Fringe festival and been invited to join the Funny Women National Theatre tour.

She is described as an arresting and animated comedic presence, mixing bubbly, conversational and pithy stage patter with an array of wonderful comic voices while persuasively guiding the punter through her curious worldview with a disarming charm.

Among the acts she will be introducing is Joanna Neary who presents a cacophony of comic characters, songs, interpretive dances and extracts from her 1985 school girl diary.

Joanna made her Edinburgh debut in 2004, where she was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer award. She has made several appearances on TV, including Armando Iannucci's Time Trumpet, and as Judith in the Johnny Vegas sitcom Ideal.

Known for leaping about the stage, proudly showing off like a child in new posh shoes, she has been hailed as the best character comedienne working on the circuit today.

Introducing a measure of testosterone to proceedings, comedian Paul F Taylor will also be on hand to recount his hilarious surreal observations.

Two open mic spots will also see new stand-ups Adam Smith and Sam Savage attempt to win over The Grey Lady crowd.

With his intelligent and sardonic dry wit, Adam is a recent winner of The Comedy Café new act night while Sam has been described as "endearingly psychotic" with great stage presence.

The line-up seems sure to be a fantastic way to kick off the venue's new series of comedy nights.

The Grey Lady Comedy Club Thursday February 25 at 8pm Tickets £9 in advance, £10 on the door Phone 01892 544700 or visit www.thegreylady.co.uk