WE’RE going to start seeing an awful lot more of comedian Andrew Lawrence over the coming months.

For the young Londoner who brings his show to Darwen Library Theatre next Saturday has just been confirmed as a regular on Channel Four’s topical show, Stand Up For The Week.

The thought of producing 10 minutes of topical comedy every week might phase some comedians, but not Andrew, “I’ve always been pretty fluid with my shows,” said Andrew.

“I don’t have a script which is the show for the length of its run. I tend to bring in new ideas all the time and react to an audience so although having a weekly deadline to come up with new material that’s both topical and funny is daunting it’s sort of what I’m used to.”

The exposure that shows such as Stand Up For The Week can bring is something Andrew will have to get used to. Certainly it will render his current show’s title, the Best Kept Secret In Comedy, obsolete.

“I took that show to Edinburgh last year,” he said, “but the thing with Edinburgh is that you have to give the organisers your show title months beforehand and at that point it summed up where I was in my career.”

Appearances on BBC Radio 4 and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow have also propelled Andrew’s sharp, observational comedy into the mainstream. So will he be following in the footsteps of others and heading to the arenas in the near future?

“I’d love to try it for the experience,” he said, “but it’s not the kind of thing I really want to move into.

“I like to be able to connect to an audience and love intimate venues. I think they work really well for everyone. I always try to make my shows a one-off experience for the audience which is why I like to introduce new material. It’s more exciting for me and I think produces a better gig for everyone.”

Andrew has his own approach to touring which sees him working throughout the year.

“Some comedians will do an intensive tour of 30 dates in as many days,” he said.

“I’d rather spread the dates more and work more of the year. That means I can fit other things in along the way such as TV work without disappointing people who want to see me live.”

*Andrew Lawrence, Darwen Library Theatre, Saturday, March 10. Details from the box office on 01254 706006 or the King George’s Hall box office on 0844 847 1664.