Given the overwhelming response to this year's competition we've had some unique offers for collaboration, including the opportunity to team up with top London venue, the Roundhouse, for a unique twist to this year's Awards climax. As part of the iconic Camden theatre's Turning Point Festival, Funny Women is now inviting eight acts who didn't make it through the semi final rounds to take part in a very special "Laugh Chance Saloon" event on Saturday 18th September. Two wildcard slots in the 2010 Funny Women Awards final are up for grabs - and it'll be the audience on the night deciding who goes through.
Here's how it works. The top 24 new acts we've scouted from our funny-finding foray across the UK have now battled it out in the semi-finals at the Leicester Square Theatre. These acts were all good. Very good. (After 8 years at the helm of Britain's premier female comedy competition, we know how to spot a giggle-worthy gal.) Our judging panel of industry movers and shakers selected 10 of the best who've qualified automatically for the charity final - in support of OBJECT - on Monday 20th September. "BUT," we hear you cry, "The Funny Women Awards final always features TWELVE of the UK's best new female acts!". Well remembered, comedy fans - here's where the good folks at the Roundhouse come in.
Like us, they believe shiny new talent deserves a shiny new platform (check out their fantastic outreach programmes at www.roundhouse.org.uk), and they're offering eight semi-finalists who fall just short of qualifying for the final, another chance. Two chances, in fact, as it's two wildcard entries at stake in this exclusive one-off show. Making the grade will be a true test of comedic mettle, as it's the audience alone who'll decide the lucky pair going forward. The fate of funny rests in your hands...
We are now thrilled to announce the eight exceptionally funny women who didn’t quite make the first cut, who have another shot at reaching the final. The following acts will be vying for one of two wildcard tickets forward:
Hayley Ellis
Jojo Georgiou
Sunna Jarman
Gemma Layton
Laura Lexx
Clare Lomas
Lindsay Sharman
Louisa Theobald
This time around, it’s back to basics – no judges deciding who makes it through, just comedy’s one true jury: the audience. So join us at the Roundhouse and play your part in shaping comedic fate!
Excited? So are we. See HERE for more information about the Turning Point Festival, and to book tickets - £18 to include a whole range of shows including the Funny Women Awards 'Laugh Chance Saloon'.
Monday 20th - THE FINAL - Leicester Square Theatre, 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX. 0844 847 2475.
BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT.
First stop is the semi finals on Monday 6th September and our judges include a range of industry professionals and media representatives who will help us to get down to the first 10 finalists:
Michael Buchanan-Dunne, BBC talent development; Karen Rosie, BBC Comedy producer; Newton Velji, BBC Comedy; Al Cowie, promoter, Llaugh; Angie Avlianos, SSVC; Gillian Thorpe, director of the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond; Harry Deansway, editor of www.thefixonline.com; Bidisha, journalist, author and presenter on Woman's Hour; Norma Burke, comedy producer; Jan Etherington, comedy writer and producer; Jonathan Grant of Red24 Management and Sophie Gagon, Avalon.
The following industry luminaries will be on the judging panel for the Final on Monday 20th September:
Lucy Lumsden, head of comedy, Sky; Shane Allen, head of comedy, Channel 4; Jane Berthoud, head of BBC Radio Comedy (CHAIR); Tim Arthur, comedy editor, Time Out; Corrie McGuire of Objective Talent Management; Hils Jago of Amused Moose; April Chamberlain, managing director of the ComedyUnit and writer and comic, Shazia Mirza.
When we're not busy with the competition we run regular, non competitive showcases in the lovely basement studio at the Leicester Square Theatre, on the second Sunday of the month. We feature winners and other acts from our Awards that we think are the 'ones to watch' along with a few of our favourite female acts and some newcomers.
These will begin again in October but if you are a NEW ACT desperate for stage time, please send us your details to info@funnywomen.com.