Warrnambool’s ventriloquist “duo” Ecka and Sparky, and up-and-comers Sheldon Hampstead, Donna Read, Damian Farley and Scott Bartlett will attempt to tickle a few funny bones alongside a line-up of stand-ups from Melbourne and Torquay.

While the almost-sold-out event is a fund-raiser for “The ’Booligans Mystery Box Rally Team”, which in turn raises money for the Cancer Council, organiser and budding comedian Aidan Nicolson said it was hoped the event would be the first of many.

Nicolson, who will MC the night, has entered the RAW Comedy competition for the last two years, making it through to the second round this year. But finding places to take his stand-up routine meant trips to Ballarat, Geelong or Melbourne, he said.

“I started looking around at what comedy rooms were open and there was nothing down this way — anyone who wants to have a go has to travel,” he explained.

Nicolson said holding a comedy event every couple of months would provide a platform for locals to try out their jokes and routines and could entice the RAW Comedy competition to hold a Warrnambool heat, as happened recently in Ballarat.

He said there probably hadn’t been a local comedy night since Dave Hughes was an up-and-comer.

Aside from the local talent, Friday night’s gig will also feature Corey White, Aron Gocs, Miles Milson, David Boyle, Aidan ‘Taco’ Jones and Tait Middleton. The show begins at 7.30pm but only a limited number of tickets remain.

Nicolson said anyone interested in trying their hand at future Warrnambool stand-up events can contact him through Facebook.