Worthing-ites feel the same way about their town as they do their school or siblings - they can criticise it but if anyone else does, that's fighting talk.

But founders of this new Worthingaimed comedy sketch show come in peace - they're here to entertain a town they think fondly of: "During a misspent youth, my parents lived in Lancing and Worthing was where I would go for a beer on a Friday night. It became a regular haunt. It was where I knew," says comedian Mark Brailsford, best known for his work with Brighton's satirical The Treason Show.

"Worthing is a nice place to live but doesn't really have any entertainment like this, which appeals to a younger audience as well as old. Comedy is universal and sketch shows are enjoying a renaissance, so our message to Worthing is come out on a Friday night."

Friday Night Live is a character-based sketch show, inspired by the likes of The Two Ronnies, Not The Nine O' Clock News and The Fast Show.

It includes monologues, songs and character-based routines, some of which focus on the town and its "environs".

Subjects include shopping in Worthing, although Mark is keeping tight-lipped about the rest.

A large team of writers has created a brand new show with Worthing audiences in mind, although it's not exclusively aimed at its residents.

"This is a new format for us," says Mark, who has written for radio, TV and stage. "There are lots of local references, although we want to stress it's not just a show about Worthing. It will have general appeal."

The characters are mostly new, although fans of The Treason Show might recognise one or two.

"It's not topical, though, so don't come along expecting it to be like The Treason Show," says Mark.

Joining him on stage will be Alastair Kerr, part of comedy duo Dyball and Kerr (and, up until recently, a Worthing resident) and Camilla Simson. Support will come from Clint Westwood (who took his show to Edinburgh this year) and Brighton joker Guy Venables.

Three shows have been booked at the Pavilion Theatre (tonight, October 13 and November 17), which will be transformed into a cabaret setting with an open bar, and Mark hopes his team will become a permanent fixture at the seafront venue.

"This is an experiment as there are so many unknown factors with a new show in a new town.

"Ultimately, we hope to keep doing monthly shows the people of Worthing will like and turn up to see. We want Friday Night Live to put the town on the map in terms of comedy."

The Treason Show launched at Komedia in Brighton six years ago and plays to sell-out audiences up to five times a month. The team have since travelled to London and New York and have been nominated for a Guardian newspaper Alternative Perrier Award (2001) and a BAFTA (2004).

  • Starts 8pm, tickets £10.

Call 01903 206206.