With his own brand of variety show comedy, a local comedian is joining the line-up for the Billabong Comedy Club.

Rainham man Dean Caston will be performing for the third time at the club in Victoria Street, Rochester, on Thursday, August 25.

He said: “It’s a nice little venue. I have been working on my routine. My material is old-style variety jokes. It’s good if you get a good audience, you get a good buzz from it, and there’s a bit more interacting with the audience.”

Dean first stepped on stage at the age of 12 when he joined the Oasthouse theatre’s youth section. Now 52, he has been acting and directing for Rainham Theatre Society for 40 years and also does their publicity.

Over the last 15 years he has started doing more variety and comedy, and performing with the RaTS Revellers, a branch of the society who put on variety shows.

His wife, Helen, bought him a weekend comedy course where he learnt stand-up, and he has also had a couple of auditions for Britain’s Got Talent.

The father-of-two said: “I enjoy all sorts of entertainment. Stand-up is quite different and quite lovely. You never know what the audience is like and how they’ll react.”

Also appearing at the gig are Junior Simpson, an observational comic who finds humour in the everyday, and the voice of The Sceptics Guide to the Universe, Iszi Lawrence.

During the intervals, there will be musical entertainment from up-and-coming band The Crew, who write their own material as well as performing cover versions of songs by The Jam, Oasis and a number of 1960s artists.

Doors open at 7.30pm with the comedy starting at 8pm. Tickets are £9 in advance or with a flyer, or £12 on the door. Students £5.

Buy in advance from the club or Dot Café, Rochester High Street, or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/370483