BEN Cackett and Ian Irving will be bringing the mood of cabaret and variety to Basildon’s Towngate Theatre in a few weeks, when they put on a night of comedy and music.

It will be a homecoming concert for the pair who were born and raised in Basildon – their two families having always been friends – but both went off on their separate journeys to have careers which took them around the world.

Ian became a comedian, climbing the ladder of success from talent-show hopping amateur to in-demand professional, being hired for corporate events and cruises, including the last QE2 voyage from New York to Southampton.

Ben, meanwhile, after first blagging his way into an audition for work on a cruise liner and being shocked he got it, has found himself performing as anything from a professional rock ‘n’ roll piano dueller in the US to playing Chopin (as well as many other musical genres) on cruise ships, including the QE2.

“My act is a mix, a bit of variety, a cheeky Cockney who can actually play” he explained. “I’ll throw in jokes, do a tribute to Les Dawson in my act – it is a mix.”

“It’s hard to describe my genre”

added Ian, when I met the pair in the foyer of the theatre where they’d gone for an Echo photoshoot. “I tell gags, but there is a bit of a story to them as well.”

The decision to bring their acts together for a night of home-grown entertainment, came after they both moved back to the area and started socialising again.

“We’ve already sold a lot of tickets”

said Ben. “We also have a special guest star, Mena Aylott, a brilliant, very popular singer. Even if you are not into music, when you listen to her your hair will stand up on end.”

“Not everyone’s” added Ian, pointing to his shiny head.

! Ian Irving & Ben Cackett Unleash the Noiz and the Funny is on Wednesday, September 16 at 8pm, at the theatre in St Martins Square.

Tickets are £14.50