A SPECIAL and secretive show will give a record-breaking comedian a chance to try out new material ahead of his forthcoming arena tour.

Lee Evans is coming to the Evesham Arts Centre on a currently unspecified date in May with his Work in Progress show, during which he will be testing new lines from Monsters in front of a live audience.

Because the material is so fresh, the star will be referring to notes to make sure the work hits the right spots.

The centre's comedy organiser, Keith Norledge, said: "Over the past three years we've worked really hard to build relationships with the main comedy agents in the UK.

"With Lee Evan's only doing a handful of 'work in progress' shows around the country before he embarks on an arena tour of the UK, this shows that Evesham Arts Centre really is on the map as one of the best small comedy venues in the Midlands."

He added: "Bringing big-name comics like Lee Evans, Jon Richardson and Josh Widdicombe to the theatre saves our patrons the time and cost of travelling further afield and brings visitors to town too. We're already working on getting more comedy stars later in the year."

The time, date and booking details for the show will be released via the centre's website, Facebook page and Twitter account at 10am on Saturday, March 8, with newsletter subscribers being contacted the day before.

Monsters will be visiting major venues such as Birmingham NIA and the O2 in London over the course of more than 50 dates.

Once released, tickets for the show will be £25, plus £1.50 per card transaction, and sales will be limited to four tickets per person.

For more information, go to eveshamartscentre.co.uk or call the Evesham Almonry on 01386 446944.