The first laugh of 2012 is guaranteed this Sunday as Hal Cruttenden headlines at The Giggle Inn.

Trained as an actor at the Central School of Speech and Drama, Hal’s career includes roles on TV in Shackleton, EastEnders and Kavanagh QC and on film in Mrs Dalloway and The Madness of King George. Recent theatre work includes Orwell: A Celebration at Trafalgar Studios. Hal’s big break in stand up came with his nomination for the Perrier Newcomer Award at the 2002 Edinburgh Festival for his solo show Hal and he has gone on to write sketches for The Rob Brydon Show and Omid Djalili Show.

In 2010 he embarked on a mission to give his middle-class naval gazing a wider audience with his first UK tour, Hal Cruttenden Lively.

The evening is hosted by anecdotal artist Barry Castagnola with support from Matthew Osbourn, who won the So You Think You’re Funny award in his first year of stand up and was Chortle Best Newcomer in 2003.

The Giggle Inn Comedy Club, The Colne River Room, Pump House Theatre, Local Board Road, Watford this Sunday from 8pm. Details: 01923 351107, www.thegiggleinn.com